Virginia Holder

A Remarkable Woman Passes at 103. On December 22, 1910 in Norwood, Massachusetts, Virginia Daniels Holder was born to Daisy Hartshorn Daniels and Jason Noah Daniels. Virginia "Ginny" grew up and attended school in Norwood MA. Her dad was a mason and builder and her mother a registered nurse, who served in the US Army during the Spanish American war. Virginia became a registered nurse after graduating from Simmons College and then Boston Children’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1932. After spending several years in pediatric nursing in Boston, Virginia married Norman F. Holder of Dorchester, Massachusetts and they moved to Maine. Over the years they raised 4 children - Jon an attorney, and Rick, Jason, and Barbara June who all work in services and programs for children. Ginny was a consummate mother who treasured her family - her children, and daughters-in-law Kathleen Grover of Bar Harbor ME; Laurie Holder of Amherst, NH; Anne Holder of Danville, NH; and Son-in-law James Fyles of Rye, NH. Ginny was so very proud of her family and cherished her 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Virginia was an accomplished cellist. She was active in public health matters in Wells and Ogunquit Maine. Ginny was an environmental activist and instrumental in the cleaning of Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, ME. As the school and town public health nurse, she led the fight for fluoridation of public water in Wells, to prevent childhood tooth decay. Upon moving to Exeter, NH Ginny became the school nurse for 5 outlying schools at one time. She also returned to college to obtain her degree in counseling and then served as the Greenland, NH school nurse-counselor for many years. Virginia became passionately active in the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities becoming the president of NHACLD and later a long serving member of the National Board of Directors for the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. After retiring from her Greenland school position, Ginny worked as a part-time assessment specialist for Portsmouth High School. Upon full retirement, she and Norman wintered in Venice FL, where Ginny became the Director of Health Services in her community. During her 80’s and 90’s Ginny volunteered in the Venice, FL school system mentoring children with emotional and/or learning needs. Ginny also resided in Danville, NH for 26 years – where she enjoyed kayaking and daily walks. Her final 4 years were spent in Rye – taking frequent walks to Wallis Sands Beach and then Portsmouth NH, under the loving care of the Edgewood Centre staff. Always remaining active, Ginny cross country skied throughout her seventies; biked, swam, kayaked through her eighties and nineties; and walked and danced beyond her 103rd birthday. Ginny’s legacy is highlighted by the positive outreach she brought to Earth. May we treasure the kind heart of one of so many years and yet so young in spirit. Ginny would wish in lieu of flowers that we pass on a smile, kind words and compassion to others - then dance, dance, dance... A memorial service for Ginny will be held at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Union Chapel, 7 Willow Avenue, North Hampton, NH 03862. Parking will be available at North Hampton State Beach with shuttle service, if needed, to Union Chapel. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

Virginia Holder

December 22, 1910 - March 8, 2014