Molly Maffei Baldwin of Vernon passed away Friday, November 15, 2024.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 am at Vernon Baptist Church.

Molly was born September 4, 1946, in Orange, New Jersey to Mary Doherty and James Maffei. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Montclair NJ in 1964 and Caldwell University, Caldwell NJ in 1968. She earned her master's degree from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ in 1994. Molly was an elementary teacher for 34 years in the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, loving her third graders. She enjoyed teaching history through reading aloud to her students from chapters and picture books and encouraging students to become more mature readers through various discussion techniques. She became involved in the NJ Department of Education's Holocaust, Genocide, and Prejudice Reduction program by writing curriculum and conducting teacher education workshops. Molly was able to participate in a teacher seminar journeying through Eastern Europe's Holocaust sites culminating in a stay in Israel. She subsequently studied at a month-long program with Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. After moving to Midlothian, Virginia, Molly became involved in the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond. She developed teaching material for docents, held workshops for educators, worked in archives and exhibitions, and took visitors through the museum's various exhibits. Molly moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she met her future husband Reg Baldwin. They hopped on Reg's motorcycle and headed to the Perfect Wedding Chapel in Bull Head City, Arizona to be married on September 25, 2006. Molly learned to ride and put 8,000 miles on her Triumph Bonneville. She was proud to qualify for her New Mexico and Texas handgun licenses. The Baldwins moved to Vernon in January 2013 and soon Molly volunteered at the Red River Valley Museum. She also worked on her Italian (Maffei-Russo) and Irish (Doherty McLaughlin) genealogy, reveling in putting together bits and pieces of her heritage. With the same enthusiasm, she was also able to chronicle the Baldwin-Burton families from the Paducah area in Cottle County, Texas. Molly took great pleasure in her garden, travelling cross country with Reg whether two-up on a motorcycle or in their motorcoach, travelling to Europe, especially multiple visits to County Donegal, Ireland, and simply walking her Buster around the neighborhood.

Molly's parents, Mary and Jim Maffei and brother, Jim Maffei of Montclair, NJ., predeceased her. She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Reg Baldwin of the home, brothers John Maffei (Maggie) of South Carolina and Vincent Maffei (Linda) of Connecticut, nephews Devin and Jimmy Maffei, Chad Keeley, Michael Maffei, her nieces Little Molly Maffei her namesake, Kara Maffei Romano, Heather Maffei Hathaway and Meghan Keeley and stepson Jeff Baldwin of Albuquerque. Her sister-in-law, Mary Jane Parr, remained her special friend for over 60 years, both always ending lengthy phones calls with another quick ring back with something else either forgot to say. During Molly's cancer journey, Reg and has been there to hold it all together, always believing in better outcomes.

She will be missed by all her cousins, family and friends. She appreciated their love and support with prayers, candles lit, cards, texts, goodies, flowers and prayer quilts throughout this difficult phase of life. Many thanks to the gracious and competent nurses whose laughter and smiles cheered her on but most importantly to her loving caregiver Shanna Willborn.

Please consider memorial donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital https:/ /www.stjude.org