Jeanne E. Holmes
Tuesday, March 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Age:
91 years old
Tuesday, March 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Age:
91 years old
Tuesday, March 1, 1927
Date of Death:
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Age:
91 years old
Jeanne E. Holmes
Jeanne Émilie Holmes of Rochester passed away Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Seasons Hospice from complications due to a recent stroke. She left this life with her children by her side and with the dignity that defined her.
She was born on March 1, 1927 in Namur, Belgium where, in addition to attending school, she worked in her parent’s hotel. She fell in love with an American soldier who was part of the United States operation that had liberated Namur. On May 19, 1945, she married that soldier, William J. Holmes. For the next two years, they lived in Brussels, Belgium, and Dijon and Paris, France.
After arriving by boat in New York Harbor with thousands of other war brides, she and her husband briefly lived in Toronto, Canada before moving to Rochester, Minnesota in 1947. In addition to raising a family, she was an active volunteer for several organizations, including serving as a volunteer Mayo Clinic Interpreter to French-speaking cardiac surgery patients and their families. Her impeccable taste and sense of style led to an early interior decorating stint with locally-known Gene Undeen and a later art consultancy role with Val Webb Art Galleries.
Jeanne had an amazing ability to make friends; her beautiful smile, Belgian accent, her sincere interest in others and willingness to help others enabled her to build a warm circle of enduring friendships that continued up until she died.
She is survived by her son, Michael (Leah) of Rochester; daughter, Michele (Don) Van Dyke of Raleigh, N.C.; three grandchildren, Ann and Sara Holmes, and Charles Van Dyke, and sister-in-law, Jean MacNeill of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband, William.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018 at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester, MN with Rev. Shawn Haremza officiating. Visitation will begin an hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Saint Francis, Assisi Heights, Rochester, Minnesota or to a charity of one’s choosing.
Condolences
The family of Jeanne E. Holmes has received the following condolences.
Dear Michelle & Mike,
So sorry to hear about your dear mother and my friend. I lived across the hall from her at High Point for several years and she was delightful. She was always willing to help. We spent time shopping and visiting on her beautiful patio. I had plans to visit her this summer. She lived a full beautiful life and I am blessed to have known her and have her as a friend. She will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with her dear family at this sad time. Sincerely, Lynn Brown
Dear family members: I hold good memories of working with Jeanne at Val Webb Gallery. She brought energy and comradeship to us and we always knew how important family was to her. My sympathy as you walk though these days of sadness helped by recalling great memories of Jeanne.
To Michael and family and Michelle and family, we send our deepest sympathy on Tante Jeanne's passing. We loved her very much even if we weren't able to see her often. She was one amazing lady and we will miss her beautiful French accent and enthusiasm and love for her family even those of us far away. Love to all, Catherine and Brian
We were so saddened to hear of Jeanne's death. After a longer absence, we were looking forward to seeing our lovely and lively neighbor again. We truly enjoyed having her next door. She welcomed us immediately with open arms. We shared our taste in art and started changing the art on our floor. She was interesting to talk with and despite her physical limitations, always offered help to others. It was funny, when we moved in, that she immediately let us know, that you don't just knock on the door unannounced, but that you had to call people in the building before stopping by. The wisdom of this became obvious! We will miss her as a neighbor and a person.
Our condolences to the family, whom she loved very much.
Herta and Eric Matteson
My deepest sympathy! I am coming home for Thanksgiving and was going to drive down to see her. She was a beautiful person inside and out. She is already missed!