Obituary of Florence Holmes

Florence “Flo” (Geary) Holmes, a devoted wife, mother, and nana passed away after a long illness at her home on Monday evening, October 10, 2011. She was 78 years old. Florence was, the daughter of the late John and Gertrude Geary. She was raised and educated in Watertown. She married her husband Frank on January 23, 1954 and settled in Burlington in 1954 where they raised their family. Florence embraced her role as wife, mother and homemaker. She always placed her families’ needs before her own. She was very happy to be a supportive and understanding mother, who was always there for her family in the good and difficult times of their lives. Florence had a number of interests and activities. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters. She was a member of several bowling leagues. When she was young, she was a talented roller skater and roller dancer. She loved to go dancing with her husband and friends at the Totem Pole and the Bandbox. She enjoyed wintering in the Fort Lauderdale area and most recently, Margate, Florida. Florence will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Florence is the beloved wife of 57 years of Francis “Frank” Holmes. Loving mother of Elizabeth “Betty” Harrington & her husband Richard of Wakefield, Beverly Sleeper & her husband Fred Sleeper, Sr. of Shirley, Francis “Frank” Holmes Jr., Leonard “Lenny” Holmes & his wife Cindy of Dracut, the late Heidi and Herbert “Herbie” Holmes. Florence was the sister of the late John F. “Jay” and Donald E. Geary. Grandmother of Matthew & Jeffrey Harrington; Jennifer (Sleeper) Arakelian, Michelle (Sleeper) Watson & Frederick “Ricky” Sleeper, Jr.; Dana Budryk & Sean Holmes; Derek, Joseph, & Kenneth Holmes. Also survived by 9 great grandchildren and 1 upcoming great grandchild. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church at 12 noon. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, BURLINGTON. Memorials in Florence’s name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or www.cff.org/Chapters/mass-ri/ , 220 North Main Street, Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760. The last few days of your life have been a mixed blessing. It broke my heart to see you so frail, but the love in your eyes each time I gave you your meds or Bev and I moved you to make you comfortable, kept me going. Having all your children, their spouses, your grandchildren and even two of your great grandchildren coming to confirm their love for you was so touching especially as you greeted each one with such joy on your face and the love for them in your eyes. I’m so glad you got to see how much you are loved by your family. Even until the end Dad was calling you his bride. You were his partner, his love. He is missing you but knows you are in a far better place and no longer suffering. . For me you were the ultimate wife and mother. You taught me to be patient, caring, loving, respectful and loyal. You instilled in me to treat others as I wanted to be treated. You showed me that to have friends, you need to be a friend. Most importantly, mom, you gave me my faith in God, not only by teaching but by the way you lived your life. I can remember coming home from school complaining how we all had to write 100 times I will not talk in class and how upset I was that I had to do it when I wasn’t talking. You took my face in your hands, looked into my eyes and quietly said “Offer it up to God for grace.” I cannot count the number of times you said that to me but there were many. I just hope my heavenly bank account has a record of them! You told me I could be or do whatever I wanted in spite of having CF. When I got picked on at school for being so skinny you’d say “You are a special child of God”, you can handle skinny. You loved the Blessed Mother so much and showed me how to pray to her. When you were pregnant for Heidi I wrote to Mary asking her to ask God to give me a baby sister. I folded that note up tiny and placed it under Mary’s statue in my bedroom. I didn’t throw it away until after my baby sister was born. I remembered to thank God and Mary. All I ever wanted to be was a wife and mother just like you. I loved being home with the boys and didn’t mind giving up my job in the least. The way you and dad were partners and friends I have with Dick. I see in my children the patience, caring, love and respect that you gave me. You were my mother and my best friend. There isn’t a day that will go by that I won’t miss you. . Bev writes: “I will always cherish the things you taught me about being a mother, how to love my children and appreciate each of their differences, as it has guided me with the tools to be a good mother to my children who in turn will be good mothers to their children. Being with you as you parted life and holding your hand in mine gave me a glimpse of the love you felt when you gave me life and held my little hand in yours.” . Frankie wants you to know that from the day he came into this world, you were his number one girl and still are. He loved you from day one and will love you forever. . Lenny says you were the best mom ever. Also, when you meet up with Heidi, remember, it’s his turn to win the lottery!! . Your heart was so big, that not only were you our mother, but you were a mother to others. You took Cary into your home and heart. Cary wants you to know how thankful she was to have had you in her life. You taught her so many things, but the biggest was strength. She says: I have never met a stronger person. When I was feeling weak or worried you would make me feel strong just by your encouraging words. You were my biggest cheerleader! You were by far the kindest, the most gentle, nurturing, and STUBBORN PERSON I have ever met. You had a way of making me feel special even when I didn’t feel that way. The way a true mother makes you feel. You and the entire Holmes family (my family) have always made me feel that I was part of your family and still to this day some 30 years plus. You also taught me that you need to have a sense of humor. There were many times that we would sit over tea and a smoke and just laugh. Most times about silly things. I thank you and love you so much and I will never forget the woman I call my mother. Besides Cary, you took in other friends from high school when they had no place else to go. You loved them as your own and made sure they were ready to fly before you let them leave your nest. . You became a second mother to Dottie, Heidi’s and my friend when she lost her mother. She wants you to know that you are a remarkable woman who raised amazing daughters. She will always remember your tiny frame, large strength, and your unconditional love. . My friend, June wants you to know you were and always will be her hero. When her second pregnancy miscarried at 6 months you really knew what she was feeling and she never forgot your note to her. . Mom, just know that we will always love you, always think of you, and miss you desperately, but we release you to God’s care for he can take far better care of you than we can. May you finally get to be a mother to our baby brother, Herbie. May you continue being a mother to our beloved sister, Heidi. Watch over us from Heaven and guide us when we need it. Hugs and kisses until we meet again. . All our love, . Your Adoring Family