Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern and his family are mourning the loss of his daughter Molly. The 23-year-old college student died suddenly on April 23, 2025, while visiting friends in Assisi, Italy. Molly had been fighting a rare form of cancer since 2019. Despite her health challenges, she lived life to the fullest until her unexpected passing. St. Bernard’s Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, hosted the funeral service on May 3.
A Sudden Loss in Italy
Molly felt sick during dinner with friends in Italy. According to news outlets, she became nauseous while eating. She died just minutes later. This happened during her visit with a good friend and his family in Assisi.
The trip to Italy followed an exciting time in her life. Molly had just completed a semester studying abroad in Australia. She enjoyed traveling and visited many places, including Tasmania and Rome, in recent years. Her illness never stopped her from living fully.
Rep. McGovern Shares His Daughter’s Bright Spirit
Molly studied political science and international affairs at Northeastern University in Boston. She planned to graduate this year. During college, she worked in politics too. She volunteered in Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin’s office in 2022. Later, she interned at a political consulting group. Last year, she worked as a sports museum ambassador at TD Garden.
Her father described how Molly “radiated pure joy.” He mentioned her beaming smile and how she filled rooms with laughter and warmth. Friends knew her as funny, loyal, and wise beyond her years. “She made everyone feel special because she genuinely believed everyone was special,” her father said in a statement.“Treating people with kindness came naturally to her. Always ready to stand up for the underdog, Molly made friends quickly wherever she went.”
When Molly was young, a priest once asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I want to be a cardinal,” she replied. Her father recalled how she questioned, “What’s the deal? Why can’t women be cardinals?” She wore a St. Francis medallion necklace daily. This connection seemed fitting since she died in Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis.
Fighting Cancer with Courage
Doctors diagnosed Molly with rare types of cancer called pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma at age 18. She has received treatment since 2019. Rep. McGovern and his family described how she fought her illness “with courage, optimism, and strength.” She refused to let cancer slow her down or define her life. At Molly’s funeral on May 3, her mother, Lisa, delivered a moving speech. “She had a great 23 years, but who would have thought the last five years would be the best,” she said. “Little miracles appeared everywhere.”
Understanding Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma are rare tumors that develop from cells in the body. These cells, called chromaffin cells, normally produce hormones that help our body respond to stress. According to medical experts, pheochromocytomas form in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. Paragangliomas can grow in nerve tissue in other parts of the body.
What makes these tumors dangerous is that they can release too much of certain hormones like adrenaline (also called epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). The tumors are quite rare, affecting less than 1% of people with high blood pressure. They most often appear in adults between 30 and 50 years old, though about 10% of cases, like Molly’s, occur in children or teens.
Most of these tumors (85-90%) are not cancerous, but they still need careful treatment. About one-third of cases run in families due to genetic factors, while the rest happen randomly. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumors. If the tumors have spread or can’t be removed completely, doctors may use radiation therapy or special medications.
Despite having these rare tumors, many patients like Molly can still enjoy active lives with proper medical care. People diagnosed with these conditions usually work with a team of specialists, including hormone doctors (endocrinologists), cancer doctors (oncologists), surgeons, and genetic counselors.
Rep. McGovern’s Family Faces Rare Cancer Together
Molly shared a special bond with her family. Her parents, Jim and Lisa McGovern, and her older brother Patrick treasured their time together.
Patrick said that he and Molly remained best friends. They spoke every day by phone or video chat. Even when miles apart, they watched movies together. They would count “3, 2, 1” before pressing play simultaneously.
Lisa McGovern described how the family “loved to be together” and “were cozy like puppies.” She added, “I never took that for granted. I never stopped feeling surprised by it. What a gift that is.”
Rep. McGovern Receives Bipartisan Support
People from both political parties shared messages of support after hearing about Molly’s death. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said she was “heartbroken” for the McGovern family.
“Molly brought light to her family’s lives and to so many others,” Healey said. “Her kindness, intelligence, and compassion touched everyone who knew her.”
Molly made strong friendships with other political families, including the Pelosis. As a young adult, she grew close to them. After Paul Pelosi was attacked in his home in 2022, Molly sent him cards while he recovered. On the day she died, Molly was texting with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They were talking about Pelosi’s upcoming trip to Italy for Pope Francis’s funeral.
After hearing that Molly had passed, Pelosi told Congressman Jim McGovern, “I think His Holiness, who was so saintly, decided he wanted another angel in heaven. And that would be Molly, because she was so good.”
Lasting Memory
Rep. Jim McGovern and his family cherishes the joy and love Molly brought to their lives. They expressed this in their statement after her passing. “Molly will always be the soul of our family,” they said. “We feel so proud of her. So many people felt touched by her incredible life. We love you, Molly. We miss you already.”
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