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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Chattanooga arts community loses strong advocate in Molly Sasse French

Molly Sasse French speaks on March 10, 2015, at ArtsBuild's Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award ceremony at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga.
Molly Sasse French speaks on March 10, 2015, at ArtsBuild's Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award ceremony at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga. Molly Sasse French speaks on March 10, 2015, at ArtsBuild's Ruth Holmberg Arts Leadership Award ceremony at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga.

While Molly Sasse French held her “dream job” as executive director of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, she was a strong advocate for all arts in Chattanooga, her friends and colleagues said.

“She was an incredible force for the arts and the community,” CSO board President Don McDowell said.

photo Molly Sasse French

Sasse French died early Tuesday after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Services will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at First-Centenary United Methodist Church on McCallie Avenue. As part of its next Masterworks concert Oct. 20, the CSO will perform Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, a favorite of Sasse French’s and a piece that celebrates art and life, said music director Kayoko Dan.

McDowell and others said Sasse French was an advocate for more than just music.