Molly Lynn Duffell Hackett passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026 at the Living Centre in Stevensville, MT of natural causes. Molly was born on Oct. 10, 1934 in Lakewood, OH. She was the daughter of Marion Shepard Duffell (Gebhart) and John Wilson Duffell Jr., and the stepdaughter of Dr. James W. Gebhart. After graduation from Fairview (Ohio) High School, Molly attended the College of Wooster in Ohio for three years, then finished at the University of Montana in Missoula (then known as Montana State University) where her family had moved in 1955 after her stepfather Jim joined the faculty at the U. of M. (then known as MSU.) Molly, along with her mother Marion, graduated at the top of their class in 1956. The following year, she received a Masters of Arts Degree from the U. Subsequently, Molly left Montana for the University of Chicago where she served as an editor for the University of Chicago Press for two years.
Missing Montana, Molly left Chicago and returned to teach high school English at the Stevensville (MT) High School. She also continued to do freelance work for the University of Chicago Press. In June of 1961, she married Prescott Hackett, a rancher and teacher from Victor, MT. They raised two sons, Scott and Bruce, at the Hackett ranch on Sweathouse Creek in Victor. It was here that Molly’s love of gardening took root. Later in life, she received training in the Master Gardening Program, a public educational initiative.
After their marriage ended, Molly learned the picture-framing trade and opened the Frame Shop in Hamilton, MT. During this time, she joined her passion for writing with a love of gardening, originating the gardening advice column “Dirty Fingernails” with her friend Georgianna Taylor. The column ran for many years in the Ravalli Republic and the Missoulian. She also authored three gardening books and edited and proofread the Stevensville Historical Society’s book Montana Genesis, a history of the settling and development of Stevensville. Molly volunteered in several valley charities including the Clothes Closet and Genesis House in Stevensville. She was a member of the Stevensville United Methodist Church where she directed the bell choir for many years. She was a past member of the Victor Order of Eastern Star and served a term as worthy matron from 1975-1976. Through membership in the global volunteer service organization Soroptimist International, Molly was inspired to found Friends Afar, an award-winning project of Soroptimist International of Hamilton MT that provided micro-grants to women in developing countries.
Molly participated in many civic activities as a member of the Rural Conservation and Development Committee, Hamilton, from 1970-1972; as secretary of the Hamilton County Planning Board, 1973-1977; and as a board member of Habitat for Humanity, Ravalli County, MT. For many years, she judged vegetables at the Ravalli Co. Fair in Hamilton.
Molly’s family are very grateful for the compassionate care she received from the Living Centre in Stevensville, from Angels in Guard, from Bitterroot Health Hospice, from her pastor Seth Leypoldt, from her doctors and from her friends.
Molly is survived by her son Bruce Hackett and his wife Julie of Fountain Hills, AZ, her daughter-in-law Diane Bessler Hackett of Victor, sisters Mary Hackett (Harvey) of Stevensville, Margaret Cargo of Yorba Linda, CA, nephew Charles Hackett (Josette), niece Catherine Hackett all of Stevensville, nephew James Merritt (Roberta) of Mentor, OH, and several grand nephews.
Molly was preceded in death by her son Scott T. Hackett, her dear friend Dr. Ellyn P. Jones, her sister Joanne L. Kohler, two nephews William Ford Merritt III and Edward A. Hackett, her father John W. Duffell, Jr., her mother Marion S. Gebhart and her stepfather Dr. James W. Gebhart.
Donations in memory of Molly Hackett may be sent to the Stevensville Clothes Closet, 3614 Alc Way, Stevensville, MT, 59870 or to Genesis House, 116 College St., Stevensville, MT 59870
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 26, 2026, 11:30 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Stevensville United Methodist Church, 216 College St., Stevensville. Memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com. The family will attend a private internment at the Florence-Carlton Cemetery in Florence, MT.