Lazechko, Dorothy

Friend to all she met, Dorothy "Molly" Lazechko, 84, passed 
peacefully on September 1st, 2010 from natural causes. Born in 
Innisfail, Alberta Canada on June 3, 1926, Molly was the oldest 
of three sisters well-versed in the farming community. A true 
educator through and through, Molly began her teaching at an 
early age and later working as an exchange teacher in Scotland 
after W.W.II. Independent and strong-willed, Molly was content 
to be a single woman well into her 30's, until she met her 
husband Walter. The couple was married in Coeur d'Alene in 
1960, a central location that allowed friends and family to share 
in their joyful ceremony. And sharing was what Molly was all 
about! Molly quit teaching for several years, so she could spend 
her time with her two sons while they were young. When the 
boys were old enough to take care of themselves, she returned 
to school at Boise State University to re-establish her teaching 
credentials. Molly then instructed for several more years at 
Whittier, Garfield and Whitney Elementary Schools before 
retiring from South Junior High. Not content to sit at home, 
Molly became very active in the Idaho Democratic Party, serving, 
among her activities, as Ada County Chair for four years, and in 
the Boise Retired Teacher's Association. Molly ran several 
campaigns, three of her own grassroots campaigns, receiving 
enough votes in 1990 to serve in the Idaho Legislature during 
the 1991/92 sessions. During her legislative career, Molly, was 
so inspired from an elementary classroom letter, that she got 
the Monarch Butterfly adopted as the state insect, and hence 
was known as the "Butterfly Lady" to many, especially children. 
Additionally during her tenure, the legislatures received a 
substantial raise, of which she donated all of it (and some 
more) to create an educational scholarship at B.S.U. that is still 
in existence today. Children continued to be her greatest joy 
throughout her last few years of life, for despite declining 
health, the small child in her arms brought forth the smile and 
twinkle in her eyes that we all so enjoyed. Molly was honored as 
a "Distinguished Citizen" by The Idaho Statesman. She was a 
member of the League of Women Voters, YWCA, Idaho Women's 
Network, Idaho Citizens Network, Idaho Rivers United, Sierra 
Club, YMCA and the IEA/NEA. Molly is preceded in death by her 
parents and youngest sister, Ivy. Molly is survived by her 
husband Walter, sister Peg, sons Robert and William, 
daughters-in-laws Willie and Laura, granddaughters Stefanie, 
Lindsay and Katie and grandsons Sam, Nick and Joey. Funeral 
services will take place at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 518 N 
8th St, Boise, ID on Monday September 6th @ 2pm. A social 
gathering celebrating Molly's life will follow immediately after 
the ceremony. In Lieu of flowers, donations for needy children 
can be made directly to Whittier Elementary School, Boise, ID.

Published in Idaho Statesman on September 3, 2010