On Wednesday afternoons, the founder and president of Molly’s Angels usually finds herself at the organization’s board meetings. But this week Molly Banz jettisoned the usual routine, once and for all.

Banz, the founder of the hands-on philanthropic agency that provides services for Napa seniors and families, will retire July 10.

“I think her retirement was expected,” said Fran Rosenberg, treasurer of Molly’s Angels. “And we were very, very happy for Molly and (her husband, Don Banz) because now, she can get her health back together again.”

Banz has been an inspirational leader for the agency, helping the frail and the voiceless to get the medical attention, transportation, food and money they need to get by for the last 10 years. Banz, who formerly ran the restaurant in the old Bel Aire bowling alley, operated a Molly’s Angels restaurant on Jefferson Street for awhile. But running a business and a busy charity took its toll.

She focused on the Angels, which ask members for a modest $12 a year to support their efforts. Banz was widely recognized for her work, named by the president as a Point of Light in 2004 and given numerous other honors for her efforts on behalf of others.

In a recent Register interview, Banz confirmed that health issues prompted her retirement, adding that medical tests revealed a small, benign tumor in her brain earlier this year. Her ongoing battle with chronic pain following a fall in September of 2007 has also taken its toll, she said.

“It’s amazing the work that (Banz) has done, but it’s time to slow down,” said Bette Copelin, the nonprofit’s vice president, who met Banz some 40 years ago. “She’s done a wonderful job with it and people just love her to pieces. We’re not going to forget her, that’s for sure. And the town won’t either. ... She is an angel, there’s no doubt about that.”

Like Copelin and Rosenberg, Judy Pfister, a Molly’s Angels board member, said Banz, who spent nearly a decade helping seniors and families in need and treasures helping others, did her best to put off retirement as long as possible.

“This is something that she’s needed to do for quite a while,” said Pfister. “She just didn’t want to give up her seniors, but now maybe she will be able to spend more time with her friends and family. ... We’re sad to see her go, but Molly’s Angels will continue as it always has and she’ll always be president emeritus and founder.”

Banz said existing Molly’s Angels staff and board members will run the agency, which was founded in 1999, and provides seniors with rides to medical appointments. Staff members also pick up medications, drop in for social visits and connect seniors and families with other resources.

Banz — whose retirement comes on her 70th birthday — pioneered an agency which provides services for many locals who may otherwise slip through the cracks, said Rosenberg.

“Napa County is so fortunate to have a grassroots organization like Molly’s Angels,” she said. “It fills the needs of our seniors and families who otherwise would not get help from state and federal agencies. ... I think that it was wonderful that Molly was able to start that. ... We love her.”

“Everybody just loves Molly and she will always be the best PR person there ever was,” added Pfister. “She’s one of the best assets this community has ever had and her heart is bigger than anyone’s I’ve ever known.”

Retirement is bittersweet for Banz, founder of the organization which is now more than 2,000 members strong.

“I love what I’m doing ... but 10 years is a long time,” Banz said with a smile during a recent Register interview. “I hate to give it up, really.”

Molly’s Angels, at 1700 Second St., Napa, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To volunteer, call 224-8971 or visit www.mollysangels.com.