Obituary of Molly K. Wagner

Molly Wagner Washington D.C. Molly Wagner, born and raised in Olean, passed away suddenly of natural causes on Tuesday July 30, 2024, while on a bike ride near her residence in Washington D.C. Born March 27, 1989, in Olean, she was the daughter of Elaine and Ed Wagner. A 2007 graduate of Olean High School, Molly received a degree in environmental science from the University of Michigan in 2010, where she was honored to be selected to give the student address at her graduation ceremony. In 2015 she received a JD degree from Indiana University Law School. Molly worked for the U. S. State Department, which took her to Tbilisi, Georgia, Bern, Switzerland, and Banjul, Gambia. At the time of her passing she was working in the State Department Office of Energy and Natural Resources in Washington, D.C. Molly, tall, sleek, blessed with gorgeous red hair, was a free spirit and a true naturalist, full of energy and zest, with boundless interests. She loved the outdoors, traveling to exotic locations, hiking, bicycling, and generally exploring the world around her. Growing up here, she was involved in the local Olean theater community, was a dancer, played the cello and guitar, interests she pursued throughout her life. While in D.C. Molly volunteered as an English language instructor to newly arrived immigrants, and as a water quality surveyor for nearby Rock Creek Park. In addition to her parents, she is survived by an older brother, Eddie, sister-in-law Sara, her 1-year-old niece, Charlotte, who she adored, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family welcomes friends to a memorial visitation on Tuesday (August 13, 2024) from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sierra Club (sierraclub.org/donation).