Marlene Lenore Holmes' Obituary
Marlene Lenore Ward Holmes, age 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 14, 2018. Marlene was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. My Mom loved and cherished her hometown, recalling memories of her time there, from her loving memories of her grandparents, her childhood friends, her brother and sisters, houses they lived at, her time working as a young lady working in her Uncle Carl's ice cream shoppe.
She eventually moved away to work and live in Washington, DC. She worked for five years at the National Science Foundation, from 1960-1964. It was a happy and exciting time in her young life. She met and married a handsome young Air Force Serviceman, Jesse Holmes. Marlene's first son Terrance Maurice Holmes was the apple of her eye. Although he had an unfortunate accident and suffered lead poisoning which caused his lifelong disability, she was his guardian angel and did everything and more to make sure Terry had a great life. Her second son Steven Leroy Holmes was a joy and a blessing to her. He went on to have a family of his own marrying Pamela Ann Finney in 1990 and giving Marlene three grandchildren, Jayme, Kimberly and Christian. Marlene was also blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Devin and Eleisha. Marlene loved all of her family as family was the most important thing to her.
Marlene did enjoy life and was able to travel and lived in Germany with her husband and two sons for four years, 1970-1974. She made many life long friends while there and always kept in touch with them years later. Marlene loved her time in Germany and had many happy memories from her time there. After coming back to the States, Marlene and family made the cross-country road trip from New Jersey to Tacoma. They travelled with their pop-up camper, camping being one of Marlene's passions. It was a glorious trip seeing America!
Marlene raised her family in Lakewood Washington beginning in 1974. Marlene did great things while living in Lakewood. She worked for awhile as a social worker for the city of Tacoma and later as a career government employee for Madigan Army Medical Center as a Ward Clerk. She enjoyed work, but had passions outside of work. She founded the organization GLADD, which was an organization she founded to provide assistance and activities for people with disabilites.
She was also gifted and talented artistically. She created many pieces of ceramic artwork, stained glass, painted rocks, photography and picture framing. She taught herself to play the organ and enjoyed gardening and watching the birds that would visit her beautifully manicured garden. Marlene loved to cook and travel. She loved being by the water.
Marlene is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jesse Holmes; sons Terrence M. Holmes and Steven L. Holmes, daugher-in-law Pamela A. Holmes, grandchilden Jayme N. Dillon, Kimberly A. Holmes, Christian M. Holmes and great-grandchildren Devin and Eleisha Croskey. Her sisters, Donna Brinson, Candice Chandler and Sherry Eddington, all of California; she was preceded in death by her brothers Maurice Ward, Richard Ward III and sister Linda Hudson.
My Mom Marlene was an angel on Earth and will truly be one in Heaven. She will be forever in our hearts.
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