January 20, 2010

Okay, I admit, this is NOT a picture taken today. I wish I COULD take it today, but I can't. The lovely woman in the picture is Jean Holman, mother to Jeff, Steven, and Mindy and wife of more than fifty years to Joe. Grandmother, activist, volunteer, just a wonderful all around lady who raised a wonderful family, allowing her children do follow their dreams. She encouraged them, as well as those around her, to do what they thought was best in life. Oh she gently guided, or at least tried to, guide them (myself included) towards good food (health food that was WAY before our time) and to always help others. She traveled the world as a corporate wife, enjoying time in Florida as well as New Jersey. Her home in New Jersey was not pretentious, although it could have been.

Her hardest times came when both of her sons would be playing against each other in tennis matches. She would tell me she never "favored" either of them....she couldn't...but was happy that her sons were still friends on and off the court. We were so lucky that she was able to watch Jeff's team win his first state championship this year. Coming to matches made the girls work even harder.

She left us this week. She left behind a family who will always hold her in their heart. She left friends and people even she doesn't know she touched by her kindness.
I am sure to add to this post, once her obituary comes out, telling about her life, the details that people always seem to add, the details many don't know, but this was the Jean I knew. The one I remember. The one Jeff called "Mother"...and I called friend.
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HOLMAN,Jean P. Of Moorestown, pass-ed away on January 20, 2010. Born in Philadelphia in 1926 as Jesse Jeanne Polk, Jean grew up in Merchantville and graduated in 1944 from Merchantville High School, where she was voted "Class Leader." She attended New Jersey College for Women, and after graduating with a degree in psychology spent two years working for the Campbell Soup Company. In 1950, she married Merchantville classmate Joe Holman. In 1952, the couple moved to their home in Haddonfield, where they lived for the next 56 years. During the early period of her marriage, Jean focused on raising her three children, particularly enjoying motherhood once the kids matured and could voice coherent opinions. She spent many happy hours exchanging and debating thoughts and ideas with her kids and their friends, and dispensed wisdom which has continued to guide her children to this day. Her years of childrearing were also marked by close friendships with her neighbors on Station Avenue. In addition to concentrating on her children, she donated many hours volunteering with both the Red Cross' blood bank program and CONTACT Community Helplines. Jean's devotion to a healthful lifestyle became evident during this early period, but blossomed fully in her later married life. She was a great devotee of vitamins, protein shakes, and exercise. One of her greatest joys was practicing Pilates; she continued her Pilates sessions until weeks before her death. After raising her children, Jean attained a master's degree in educational psychology from Temple University and worked for the university as a career counselor. Subsequently, she joined the family business and served as a Special Projects Coordinator for the Human Resources Department. She regularly influenced the company's direction not only as a member of the Holman Enterprises Executive Committee, but also at home over dinners, when conversation - as it often did -- turned to the business. In addition to her husband, Jean is survived by sons Jeff of Barrington and Steve (Georgine) of Dorset, VT.; daughter Mindy (Frank Beideman) of Moorestown; two sisters, Helen Peitz of Haddonfield and Elizabeth Soderland of Mt. Laurel. She has four grandsons: Jeffrey and Brett Holman and Brad and Joe Beideman. Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 28th, or from 9:00 am - 11:00 am on Friday, January 29th, at the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, 101 Bridgeboro Rd. A memorial service will follow visitation on Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053, or to the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown. Arrangements by STEPHENSON BROWN FUNERAL HOME, Merchantville, N.J.