Sequim woman put others first

Molly Buhler always was more concerned with other people's well-being than her own, including caring for three dying family members in a row, said her husband, Craig Buhler.

Molly Buhler always was more concerned with other people’s well-being than her own, including caring for three dying family members in a row, said her husband, Craig Buhler.

"There are really no words to describe this woman," he said.

Buhler, 46, was found dead from an apparent suicide Tuesday, July 14, on a logging road off Lost Mountain Road. She had been missing since the prior Friday night.

He is a member of Stardust Big Band that regularly performs at 7 Cedars Casino in Blyn.

The couple met in the early 1990s at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Seattle, which is known for its contemporary music.

"We ‘marched forth’ on March 4, 1995, that’s what it said on the wedding invitations," Craig said.

They moved to Sequim in 2004 so she could care for her aging parents.

"She spent the last five years taking care of her father, Ed Fitzpatrick. Then she was commuting to Aberdeen, to care for her brother Dave Fitzpatrick.

"Her mother, Delores Fitzpatrick, worked at Mad Maggie Boutique and she was really loved. Molly took care of her as well," Craig said.

Ed Fitzpatrick died in February 2006. Dave Fitzpatrick died in January 2008. Delores Fitzpatrick died in August 2008.

"Molly was pretty much spent at the end of this marathon, but that’s just the way she was, always more concerned about the other person," Craig said.

One of 10 children, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Aberdeen High School. Then she graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree in special education.

She graduated from a two-year lay ministry training program of Small Beginnings Ministries and served a one-year internship there.

She also was pursuing an online master’s degree in biblical counseling.

"When we first met, Molly was a special education teacher with a classroom of sixth-graders with severe behavioral problems," Craig said.

"I asked her, ‘How do you do this?’ But she was a truck driver in the Army; she could handle those kids," he said.

After they married, the couple found they both had a heart for counseling the mentally ill, and they took numerous classes toward that end, he said.

"That’s what she wanted to do."

The couple also were certified as foster parents.

"That was a neat challenge. She did most of the work," he said.

Her friend Bobbie Usselman said Buhler also loved hiking and nature, including the birds at her home’s numerous window feeders plus four cats and one dog.

"She enjoyed spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens and canning her vegetables for the winter," she said.

Sanford Feibus, who played jazz with Craig Buhler, said he remembered her laughter.

"We rode together to Stardust rehearsals. I’d see Molly there, working in the garden and outside with the dogs.

She was very supportive of her husband and his music. She was very pleasant, always laughing," he said.

A memorial service for Buhler will be scheduled at a later date.

Drennan-Ford Funeral Home in Port Angeles is in charge of the arrangements.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.