Dorothy E. Holden

March 16, 1928 - January 14, 2015

Dorothy E. Holden of Mount Dora, FL passed away on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at the age of 86 years. She was born in Olean, NY. Dorothy married Clifford E. Holden on July 15, 1950. She was a homemaker for many years while raising her family. In 1959, she and Cliff moved to Palm Beach County, FL. Dorothy went to work for the Palm Beach County School Board. They lived there until 1992 when they left West Palm Beach for Central Florida. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved to cook and host meals for her family and friends, she was the spark of the family. She also enjoyed gardening and making crafts and especially playing Bingo. Dorothy was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora. She would often volunteer there as well as the Church of God with Cliff. She had many friends, some whom she kept in touch with from her childhood. Her loving nature extended beyond her family, friends and church, as she would make clothes for the children at the orphanage in Palm Beach County. Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Gaetano, her sister, Margaret G. Lucia and her grandson, Eddie Gregorie. She is remembered and will be dearly missed by her husband of 64 years, Clifford; sons, Philip R. (Vivian) Holden of Boynton Beach, FL and Tom (Marsha) Holden of CA; daughters, Diane (Dave) Woodcum of Ocala, FL and Paula Reichard of Mount Dora; brothers, Merle (Cathy) Gaetano of NY and James Gaetano of CT; 5 grandchildren, Ryan (Kerry) Woodcum of GA, Kӓrin Holden-Alfaro (Alex) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Matthew Woodcum of OH, James E. (Tessa) Reichard, III of CO and Kevin Gregorie of AL; as well as 8 great grandchildren, Michael, Dylan, Thomas, Julian, Liam, Isabella-Juliet, Brianna and Paris. Viewing is scheduled for Monday, January 26 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Mass will be held on Tuesday at 9:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora. Burial will follow at Lakeside Memory Gardens, Eustis, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; www.stjude.org Arrangements are entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778; 352-343-4444. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.