Molly Rose (Morrison) Philosophos, 60, died on Feb. 12, 2025. An exceptionally fierce and devoted mother, she was a life-long learner who devoted herself to community service and practiced self-improvement, keeping a daily gratitude journal, always assuming good intentions and, in her words, “to always, always, always, always make the most of each day.”
A graduate of Arrowhead High School and the University of Wisconsin (BBA, 1986), Molly and Tim married on Oct. 29, 1988. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Aspen, Colorado, where she was director for guest services at the Hotel Jerome. She began her service career in Aspen as a volunteer advocate for women suffering from domestic or sexual abuse. In 1991 the family moved to Milwaukee, where she took on general contractor responsibilities on two homes they restored as urban pioneers. The family next moved to Oak Park
She served on the board of directors of Hephzibah Children’s Association (a therapeutic home for severely abused and neglected young children) for 10 years before becoming their director of development. While working there, she graduated from North Park University with a master’s degree in nonprofit management. In 2016, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin and began her dream job as a fundraiser for the UW-Madison School of Business through the UW Foundation and Alumni Association. She was admitted into the hospital a few days before her planned retirement in February.
Preceding her in death were her father, Edwin Jeremiah “Jerry” Morrison, as well as her other parents, John Aristotle Philosophos and Joan Johnson Philosophos.
Molly is survived by her husband of 36 years, Timothy Torger Philosophos; their three children, Torger John Philosophos (Ivy), Niko Jeremiah Philosophos (Carlin), and Demitra Rose Philosophos (Truman Faversham); her mother, Lynn VanVleet Morrison; her brothers, Michael John Morrison (Vicky) and James Jeremiah Morrison (Rebekah); her brothers-in-law, Anthony James Philosophos (Kim) and John Aristotle Philosophos; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Philosophos Cooper (Scott); and many nieces and nephews. She was thrilled to become a Yiayia with the birth of Torger and Ivy’s daughter, Vivian Rose, this past October.
There will be a service at a time and place of your choosing. Please take a walk in the woods with a loved one, be as present as possible, and just be.
Molly had profound gratitude for the many people who enriched her life. Join us to celebrate her at a “Good Golly, Miss Molly” party, which will take place at Heiliger Huegel Ski Hill on June 28. Additional details on the event can be found at https://everloved.com/life-of/molly-philosophos.
Gifts in Molly’s memory may be made to the UW Foundation with a note to direct as a tribute to the Women’s Philanthropy Council fund #112903697. Mail to UW Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, Box 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Gifts can also be made online at supportuw.org. Another enduring and impactful gift honoring her legacy would be to start your own daily gratitude journal.