Mollie Edna Burroughs

Mollie Edna Burroughs (née Arnold), age 88, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025.

Mollie was born on July 3, 1937, in Sacramento, California, where she lived most of her life. While in junior high school, she met the love of her life, Geoffrey Burroughs. Mollie and Geoff were married for nearly 70 years and had three children, Lisa Burroughs, Spencer Burroughs, and Megan Rainey (John).

Family was at the center of Mollie’s life. For many years, Mollie and Geoff spent their Friday nights playing impassioned games of bridge with her parents which, of course, also required that poems be written in either triumph or sorrow. While raising her three children, Mollie found time to plan meticulous family vacations—including tent camping (where her laminated lists of equipment ensured organized outdoor living), week-long Santa Cruz excursions, and a trip to Europe on $5/day. Over the years, she and Geoff explored the United States and returned to Europe a number of times—including a trip to see her maternal ancestral home in Scotland. Mollie also embraced her role as a grandmother, ushering her granddaughters to piano lessons, baking and decorating her coveted sugar cookies with them every Christmas, and attending countless soccer games, volleyball games, and school plays.

Mollie was a valued community leader. She raised awareness about equitable school transportation and fought to pass the IJKL school bond measures in the 1970s which focused on building additional elementary schools and renovating CK McClatchy High School.

Mollie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1987 from California State University, Sacramento, was a devoted reader all her life, and authored a collection of short stories, Snippets and Scattered Moments. Mollie was also an avid gardener, a dedicated (and sometimes tortured) A’s fan, and a surrogate mother to many rescued animals, on whom Mollie always bestowed unique and well-fitting names. She will be remembered for her determination and pragmatic nature; among other skills, she could outfit a car in snow chains in record time and teach a five-year-old to catch trout.

Remaining to cherish Mollie’s memory are her husband, three children, 5 granddaughters—Sara Burroughs, Jessica Dosev (Nikola), Brienna Cowan (Marc), Keely Hernandez (Ramon), Ann Rainey-Ruiz (Adam)—and 6 great-grandchildren. Mollie is preceded in death by her parents, Laura (Platt) and Ernie Arnold, and her siblings, Allan Arnold and Jane Germaine.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life gathering on January 24, 2026, from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm at the Sutter Club located at 1220 9th Street, Sacramento CA, 95814. Please reach out to Megan Rainey at 916-502-2216 or lexiahelp@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP. No flowers, please.