Newton First-Grade Teacher Molly Williams, 40, Dies

NEWTON, MA — After a Cabot Elementary School teacher died suddenly, communities in Newton and Brookline are rallying to help ensure her young son will have the education his mother so wanted him to have.

First-grade teacher and Brookline native Molly Williams died July 24. She was 40.

"Education was always a priority for Molly and she wanted her son Ben to pursue a life of learning," reads a GoFundMe set up for her 3-year-old son Ben's trust fund.

In less than a week, more than 363 people have donated nearly $34,000 of the $50,000 goal.

Born in Brookline, Williams attended the Pierce School and then Brookline High School. She earned her undergraduate degree at Cornell University then earned a dual master’s degree in special and general education in 2007 from Bank Street College of Education. She was described as a fierce advocate for children with special needs and others who needed extra help with schoolwork. She got her start in teaching working at a school for children with special needs and then taught in Chinatown in New York City before coming back to the Brookline area.

"She gave of herself in school just as she did at home — with attentive devotion, kindness, and love," her obituary reads. "Year after year, she dedicated herself fully to each child’s educational advancement and emotional well-being."

For the past 11 years, Williams taught first grade at the Cabot School, where news hit the school hard.

"Molly was always bright, thoughtful, caring, and quick to bring a smile and warm thoughts to any conversation. Students loved being in her class," said Principal Eric Sprung. "She was sweet, kind talented, thoughtful & funny."

Sprung said Williams knew each student and family on a personal level and taught each student in a manner that helped them learn best. Each child got what they needed in her class, he said. She took special care of each student and family. She had a special way of saying goodbye to her students at the end of the day that involved what she called a "chicken wing," colleagues said.

Colleagues and parents and friends from near and far described Williams as welcoming and compassionate. One remembered getting a call from Williams just moments after she posted to social media her sister had died, even though Williams had never met her friend's sister.

She had her quirks, too, that her friends recalled with fondness.

One fellow teacher remembered Williams would eat french fries right up to the point that her fingers touched them and make a pile of french fry "nubs" to toss.

Sprung said he was sent emails from her former students and their families as well as people who didn't have her as their teacher.

"Molly (Ms. Williams) was such a light and she had a beautiful soul," one parent wrote. "Her infectious smile always personally perked me up whenever I happened to see her on the Cabot campus.

"And, although none of our children had the honor of having Ms. Williams as their teacher they all knew her and spoke of her fondly when I shared this tragic news with them. They too feel this great loss."

No cause of death was listed in her obituary. In addition to her son, Williams leaves behind her husband, David Cohen, mother and brother, according to her obituary.

A family service was held in her memory July 29. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Raising a Reader at raisingareaderma.org or to the fund for Ben at www.gofundme.com/f/education-fund-for-ben-cohen

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.