Loved tennis, gardening, crafts, Newfoundland dogs and visits with family
NORTH READING — Molly (Mary Elizabeth) Whitney (née Johnson), 87, of North Reading, passed away peacefully August 26, 2025, surrounded by her children.She was born in New York City on May 1, 1938 to the late Elizabeth C. Johnson (née Goodwin) and Ralph F. Johnson. She lived in North Reading most of her life and brought up her four children there.
Molly was an insurance agent for many years at Davis Clark & Latham in Reading, and then later worked with her friend Judith Pinney. She was also a dedicated poll worker for many years.
She loved to play tennis, and played competitively until she was 80. She was the boys’ tennis coach at North Reading High School for many years.
She loved to garden and did various crafts throughout her life, such as ceramics, ornaments, homemade candles and more. She loved animals, especially her many Newfoundlands. She had many other animals over the years including goats, chickens, geese, turkeys, ferrets, bunnies, and a peacock, along with numerous cats and other breeds of dogs.
Her other hobbies were going to the beach, boating, playing the piano, trips to the casino, traveling, making Chex Mix at Christmas time, and collecting frogs. In her later years she enjoyed visits from her children and four grandchildren and chatting with her friends. Her police scanner was always on as was her television with old familiar shows playing. On Sunday mornings she loved to listen to the Congregational Church sermon on Zoom.
She is predeceased by her husband of almost 51 years, Tony (Frederic A.) Whitney. She is survived by her daughter Jane Whitney, her son Robert Whitney and his husband Clark Sorensen, her daughter Julia and her husband Mark Robarts, her daughter Jennifer Mahoney, her beloved grandchildren (Zachary, Benjamin, Casey and Georgia), her sister Jackie Malonson, her brother Richard Johnson and his wife Elvira, and many other family and friends.
Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 3 at 11:15 a.m. at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m. Interment will be private. A collation will follow at Kitty’s Restaurant in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. To leave an online message of condolence please visit CroswellFuneralHome.com.