Chesapeake – Mollie Fletcher Klocek, 74, died peacefully on October 15, 2025, at the Commonwealth Senior Living Facility, Leigh Hall, in Norfolk. She was born on October 1, 1951, at Ft. Benning, Georgia, to John W. and Sara (Adams) Fletcher. She is preceded in death by her brother John and has two surviving brothers, Michael and Joseph.
As the daughter of a career U.S. Army officer, Mollie’s youth involved moving around the country, living on various Army bases in Alaska, Texas, Kansas, and North Carolina. Her interests ranged from healthcare to teaching to physical science. Starting as an X-ray technologist she went on to radiation therapy technologist, treating cancer patients. In September of 1983 her brother Joseph introduced her to Tom Klocek, a shipmate and fellow officer. After a year they were married in the Catholic Church at the Washington Navy Yard Chapel on October 6, 1984.
Following her Navy husband overseas with no radiation therapy jobs available she took up teaching science to middle school students at Bishop Baumgartner Catholic School in Guam. Returning to the continental U.S. she resumed her radiation therapy profession but wanted more. She went to George Mason University earning both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees and teaching Geography as an associate professor.
When her husband’s job took him to Tidewater Virginia she followed him and became active in the Church, making many friends along the way. She made a great deal of effort caring for her aging parents, often traveling to their home in South Carolina. She loved family and enjoyed time spent with many nieces and nephews and their children.
Sadly, her mental condition began to deteriorate, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This led to dementia and ultimately resulted in her death.
She was loved by many and will be sorely missed, especially by her husband of 41 years, Tom. A great fan of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) she prayed regularly with their prayer programs and loved watching Mother Angelica’s reruns. One of her favorite sayings of Mother Angelica was, “I’m here to scare the hell out of you.”
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephen, Martyr, Catholic Church, 1544 Battlefield Blvd S., Chesapeake, VA 23322, at 11 AM on November 7. Please make a donation in her name to EWTN in lieu of flowers (EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds R., Irondale, Alabama 35210). She will be buried at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran’s Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.
Mollie loved Jesus and loved family. After they started dating, she and Tom recognized that they were both lapsed Catholics and decided that, whenever they were together on a weekend they would go to Mass together. Mass became an integral part of their dating and then their married life. Together they regained their faith, strengthening each other in the process. When Tom took up writing essays, especially faith-related essays, he would not post or submit anything without first having Mollie read and comment, often resulting in an improved final product. This continued until her mental decline became evident and her comprehension decreased.
Although she had no children of her own, when able she spent time with nieces and nephews. She also loved dogs and even a few cats. Her favorite place to visit was Hawaii, where she and Tom spent their honeymoon. She loved to travel, and while in Guam they also visited Hong Kong and Japan. While in Guam she and Tom were very active in ministering at the main Naval Station chapel and often helping out at other chapels around the island as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, and in the choir.
She and Tom accompanied her parents on a trip to Europe for her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, visiting Rome, Venice, Vienna, Salzburg, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Once she discovered EWTN she started her day praying the Chaplet of St. Michael along with Mother Angelica, followed by the rosary with Tom and Fr. Pacwa. She also enjoyed praying the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and going to Adoration with Tom.
She loved children, especially the little ones. Watching them at church always brought a smile to her face.
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