Molly Light

Of Blessed Memory

Molly, a loving, compassionate, and devoted mother and grandmother, passed away in Anacortes, Washington, at 1:04 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the age of 83.

Born Barbara Lynne Berman on December 10, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jess and Mary Berman, she spent her early years in Brooklyn before moving with her family to Philadelphia. She remained close to her sister, Mara, sharing a lifetime of memories and family history. Her love of New York City remained with her throughout her life. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy from NYU and a master's degree in social work from UConn.

Molly lived a life of service and devotion. She raised her beloved son as a single mother while dedicating more than 20 years to helping veterans struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. She later entered private practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in group and family therapy.

A lifelong spiritual seeker, Molly maintained a daily meditation practice for many years and was a regular presence at the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center and Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Her contemplative life informed both her professional work and her relationships. In keeping with her search for authenticity, she chose both her first and last names as expressions of her truest self.

She was a talented collage artist, an avid runner in her youth, and someone who approached life with curiosity and depth. She loved to travel and visited many places around the world, but Dakar, Senegal, held a special place in her heart. She was known for her distinctive, colorful wardrobe, an outward reflection of the depth, creativity, and individuality that marked her inner life.

Molly had a wonderful sense of humor, a wide circle of lifelong friends, and a deep love for animals. In 2015, she moved to Anacortes from the San Francisco Bay Area to be closer to her son and his family, cherishing her role as a grandmother.

She is survived by her son, Jake; her daughter-in-law, Kate; her grandchildren, Avi and Lily; her sister, Mara; and her brother-in-law, Victor.

A celebration of Molly's life will be held at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes at noon on Friday, March 27.