Mollie W. Roberts Gibney, 103, peacefully passed away in her sleep at home in Franklin, NC, on February 26th. A woman of faith, she believed she would follow God to her eternal home, where family awaited. Known locally as the English lady with an accent, Miss Mollie was admired for her longevity and sharp mind, which she credited to daily Cadbury's milk chocolate, yoghurt, and the occasional glass of wine. She epitomized the true British woman: soft-spoken, well-mannered, fashionable, resourceful, strong-willed, and courageous. She admired Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Mollie was an only child, born in 1922 to John and Jessie (nee Warren) Randall in Cambridge, England. She grew up on a working farm in Ipswich. As a child and young adult, she became an accomplished equestrian and developed her lifelong love of animals. In 1943, during World War II, tragedy struck when her father was killed by an English plane loaded with bombs, which crashed on their home and destroyed the farm. During the war years, Mollie worked for the Fire Service as a switchboard operator. It was during the London bombings that she met the love of her life, firefighter John Roberts. They married in February 1947 in Croydon, England, after the war ended. In the following years, the Roberts family moved to the island of Jersey, in the English Channel between England and France. During their time in Jersey, their two children, Susan and Barrie, were born. The family enjoyed island life while running a pub and a tourist hotel in St. Helier. In 1956, the family emigrated to Canada. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean aboard a large passenger ship and settled in southern Ontario. While living in Hamilton, Mollie worked in retail and merchandising while raising her children, and later the family moved to Ancaster. Upon retirement, Mollie and John once again ventured to a new country, moving to St. Petersburg, Florida. After 35 years of marriage, John died. In the years following his passing, Mollie moved up the west coast of Florida to be closer to her daughter, Susan. In 1999, she met and married Ed Gibney, and they were married for seven years. About ten years ago, Mollie and Susan's family were drawn to the beauty of the mountains and settled in Franklin, NC, seeking the changing seasons and a slower pace of life.

Dogs were always part of the family. In later years, Mollie cherished her Labs, Daisy and Lilly, then Little Bit and Reesie. She loved sitting on her deck, gazing at the mountains, and watching birds at her feeders. Her love of the outdoors often took her into the Smoky Mountains National Park to sit by streams, drive through Cades Cove, or photograph elk at dusk. Mollie was an avid knitter who donated 29 baby blankets and layette items to the Franklin Pregnancy Centre. She enjoyed chair yoga, tai chi, and craft classes at the Crawford Senior Centre, and was a voracious reader of Nicholas Sparks, autobiographies, Jodi Picoult fiction, and historical novels set in the 1930s and 40s. She especially enjoyed the Red Hat Society and belonged to four chapters. She was cremated wearing her favorite purple jumpsuit and red hat. Mollie and her daughter, Susan, grew even closer over the years, helping ensure Nanna’s English traditions continue through the grandchildren. Mollie’s legacy is one of joyful childhoods, strong families built with love and forgiveness, and kindness in helping others. She took pride in teaching her grandchildren to knit, sew, play cards, bake, finish puzzles, paint, and decorate for special events. She made her first quilt at 90 and enjoyed billiards with her oldest grandsons.

Miss Mollie is predeceased by her parents, John & Jessie Randall (nee Warren) of England; her husbands, John M. Roberts & Edward Gibney; her son, Barrie J. Roberts; her grandson, B.J. Roberts, all of Florida, and her son-in-law, Bruce A. Britton, of Franklin, N.C.

Mollie's family includes her caregiver and daughter, Susan J. Britton (nee Roberts), grandsons Jonathan E. Britton and Nicholas R. Britton, all of Franklin; granddaughter Amanda (nee Britton) and Thomas Bunn, of Brooksville, Florida; grandson Donovan B. Britton and fiancée Sadie Bates, of Seneca, SC; granddaughter Rebecca (nee Roberts) and Steven Zimmerman, of Ruskin, Florida; grandson Scott Roberts of Rocky Top, TN; and daughter-in-law Mitzi Roberts, of St. Petersburg, Florida. Miss Mollie was proud that her legacy included two sets of twins. Additional family includes Britton's great-grandchildren, Bryce, Bailey, and Brendan; Bunn's great-grandchildren, Kyle, Lily, Ella, and Cole; Zimmerman's great-grandchildren, Cody, Caylee, Catelyn, Carys, and Callen; Britton's great-great-grandchildren, Noemi and Everleigh; and Britton's bonus great-grandchildren, Gabe, Daunte, and Gracie. There are also Roberts' in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews in England. Mollie cherished two special friends, Susan Kreischer of Spring Hill, Florida, and Mavis J. Hill of Waynesville, NC.

The family is grateful to Caroline Rooney and the staff at Harris Family Care in Franklin, NC. They also thank the Franklin, NC Four Seasons Hospice team for in-home support, care, encouragement, and education during Miss Mollie's last months "in her treehouse."

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901; Dementia Society of America; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; st.jude.org.

Macon Funeral Home is handling arrangements and cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held there on Friday, March 6. The family will receive guests from 1 to 2 p.m., with the service from 2 to 3 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared at www.maconfuneralhome.com.