Alice Murphy Molinari

Born in Elmira, New York, Alice “Lita” Molinari, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025. She was the daughter of Loreto Hughes Murphy and Cornelius J. Murphy and the beloved younger sister of Cornelius “Neil” Murphy (Valerie) and Patricia Whitford (James) who predeceased her.  She is survived by her five children, 12 grandchildren, and brother-in-law Frank Molinari (Pat, deceased), and numerous nieces and nephews.

From an early age, Lita was known for her warmth, generosity, and lively spirit. She pursued nursing as her profession, working at several hospitals prior to starting a family. Years later, she returned to the medical career she loved, working at the Veterans Administration, where she cared for those who had served our country.

While working at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, she found the love of her life, Gaetano F. “Gaetan” Molinari, MD, MPH. They married on April 30, 1960, and spent 52 years together raising their family before his passing in 2012. Together they brought up five children, teaching them the values of faith, family, good cheer, and perseverance.

Lita was the devoted mother of Guy Nicholas (Sue), Francis Murphy (Lisa), Christopher Edmund (Laurice), Gregory Hughes (Anne), and Cara Arlene (Paul Warren). She was also the proud and doting grandmother of twelve grandchildren: Dana, Thomas, Kate, Hayden, Anna, Lilly, Grace, Luke, Kaliegh, Jack, Patricia, and Ella. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she treasured every moment with them.

A woman of deep faith, Lita was a longtime parishioner at Holy Redeemer Parish in Kensington, Maryland. She sang joyfully in the choir and taught CCD classes for many years, leaving a lasting impact on generations of parish children. She was also a dedicated member of Opus Dei for over forty years, drawing strength and peace from her faith throughout her life.

Outside of her work and faith commitments, Lita cherished time spent with family and friends. She loved to travel — whether to the beach with her children, on memorable overseas trips with Gaetan to Ireland, Italy, and Yugoslavia, or while visiting her sons when they lived abroad.

The consummate hostess, whether of dinner parties, luncheons, or welcoming out-of-town guests for the weekend, she delighted in the service and company of her many dear friends, whose companionship brought her great joy.

Lita will be remembered for her kindness, strong moral compass, memorable witticisms, and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Her legacy lives on in her family and in all those whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yuma Center for Women in Washington, DC - Yuma Center, 4101 Yuma Street NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA - https://www.yumadc.org/giving
202-386-6901

Service, Interment and Reception information may be found below.  

Also, on Saturday, October 4 at 7 pm - Family and friends are invited for an informal, festive gathering at Greg and Anne's home at 103 Chestnut Road, Severna Park, Maryland, 21146.