Jean Holmes

Jean Elizabeth Holmes, 81, of Canton, Georgia passed away on January 14, 2023 in hospice following a stroke. She was surrounded by family and close friends throughout her final days. Jean was born to John and Dorothy Jasenzak in Spring Valley, New York on April 26, 1941. Jean leaves behind her devoted husband of 56 years, Lucien, her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Christopher Peterson, her grandchildren Alyssa and Michael as well as her nieces and nephew Beth Wineland, Ann Kerbs and James Fitts. She was preceded in death by her parents and her elder sister, Dorothy Fitts. Jean graduated from the School of Physical Therapy at Loma Linda University in California, in 1963. She met her future husband, Lucien, through her work. After marrying in Virginia in 1966, the couple moved to Florida where Jean would spend 45 years treating patients through the Palm Beach County Health Department and in private practice as a home health therapist. She and her family spent most of her adult life in Delray Beach, Florida. Jean and Lucien enjoyed traveling and spent much time in the early days of their marriage exploring the Caribbean by sailboat. Later some of their favorite vacation spots included Fripp Island, South Carolina and Carmel By the Sea, California. They enjoyed dining out and attending cultural events. A woman of many accomplishments, Jean was a prolific author. Her many short stories, both fiction and non-fiction, centered around animals, Bible stories and interesting people she’d met. She authored eight books for young people. Most of her books are historical fiction about the lives of the people on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia during the Civil War era. She was a long-time active member of the National League of American Pen women, serving first as the president of the local Boca Raton branch, later of the Florida state association and ultimately of the national organization. During her term in Washington D.C., she chaired the Pen Women’s Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Committee. Creative and enthusiastic, Jean excelled at many things including quilting, gardening, and photography. She was always ready for a new project, a little adventure, or a trip to an interesting place. Jean was known for her good works. Spending much of her time driving throughout Palm Beach County to see her patients, she would never fail to stop and help any stray or injured animal she saw. Many of the Holmes family’s beloved pets and injured wild animals they raised and subsequently released came home in her car. Others were brought to her home based on Jean’s reputation for helping animals. Always hands-on, Jean did not shy away from helping even those often overlooked by others. She and a group of women began making monthly visits to teenaged girls who were incarcerated in the local jail. As they had no library, Jean gathered enough donated books to create one for them. When she discovered that what the girls wanted most were coloring books and crayons to help them pass the time, she collected these items for them on a regular basis. Jean could always be counted on to lend a hand when there was any kind of need. She took in and helped adults and children in crisis, sharing her home and resources with a glad heart. She visited sick friends, bringing regular meals and offering companionship. More than anything, Jean joyfully lived the kind of life that reflected her faith in God and in her Biblical convictions. She was a life-long member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. In her younger years she served as the youth group leader for her local church in Boynton Beach, Florida, taking the young people there on many adventures and campouts. In her later years she was a member of the Canton Adventist Church. When she was no longer able to attend in person, she joined the Granite Bay Hilltop Adventist Church in California and participated in online services. Throughout her final years as she became increasingly homebound, her Bible and religious publications brought her much comfort. Jean always did what she believed was the right thing to do. She inspired others to do the same and although she is gone from our presence, she lives on in the good works we do. A service for Jean will be held at Darby Funeral Home in Canton, Georgia on Saturday, February 18 at 2 p.m. The Service will be live-streamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/2894948

Tributes

Jean Holmes

April 26, 1941 - January 14, 2023