Molly Genaille is a North End angel.
Molly's a kokum/granny, originally from Duck Bay, who's lived in the area for about 15 years. Over that time she's gained recognition for her endless generosity. She's always on the move, riding her bike around the neighbourhood, often with several items in tow.
I first met Molly on Selkirk Avenue. She was a bundle of energy with a half-full garbage bag of stuff in her hands. She dropped off a few things, picked up a few more and in a couple of minutes she was out the door and on her bike, off to her next stop.
Years ago Molly worked as a crossing guard but diabetes has taken a toll on her health. Still, she keeps busy as a volunteer of many causes in the aboriginal community.
A lot of people speak highly of Molly. She's often called a one-woman resource centre. She's also modest about her good deeds.
"I try to help," said Genaille. "When I help it makes me feel good."
If you're in need of something, go ask Molly. If you've got something you don't need anymore, pass it along to Molly. She'll find someone who'll make use of it.
For many families it's a struggle to make ends meet by the end of the month, so Molly has scouted out everything from baby formula to diapers, to tea kettles and furniture. She's always on the lookout for donations.
Lately, Molly's been looking for beds for families and older people who can't afford the high cost of buying one. Her last supplier dried up, but she's on the hunt for another source.
She recently gave away her computer to a family that lives in the neighbourhood. She's started searching for computers for other people too. Molly's resourcefulness is unstoppable.
Molly's mom died when she was six so she and her siblings got scooped into foster care. People have told Molly her mom was well known for giving away many of her possessions too.
"Maybe I inherited that," says Molly. "Sometimes my kids get mad at me."
Molly smiles and laughs.
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The second angel in this story is a mystery.
About five years ago, Molly was sitting on her steps keeping watch over the neighbourhood kids, her grandkids and the foster kids she was raising. She noticed a blonde woman pull up in a car.
The blonde woman walked over to Molly and said she'd driven by every day and had always seen her sitting on the steps.
"She asked, 'Is this all your grandchildren?" said Molly.
Molly said no, and explained how she watches out for all the kids on her street. The woman asked if she could use some toys. Molly said yes.
"And would you believe it," said Molly. "She opened her trunk and there was a bunch of toys in there."
Ever since then Molly's mystery angel has come to visit her four or five times a year. She brings bags of food, money, grocery gift cards and toys at Christmas. It's a welcome blessing for a giving woman who often struggles on a tight budget herself.
The North End angel got an angel of her own.
"She's a very good woman," says Molly. "I can picture her smile and she hugs me, and she tells me, 'Don't move. If I lose you, I'm lost.'"
But Molly wants to find her angel soon because she's making plans to move. The place she's been living at is getting rundown. She's kept track of her angel's visits and thinks she'll come by again in July.
Molly wants to give her angel her phone number so they don't ever lose touch.
"The reason I'm staying on is on account of her."
colleen.simard@gmail.com
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