Rebecca Barbara Holmes

Rebecca B. (Wollison) Holmes, age 80, formerly of New Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Care Dimension Hospice House in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She was the wife of the late Michael I. Holmes.

Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late William and Beatrice (Lieberman) Wollison, she was a graduate of New Bedford High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Simmons College.

After stints working at the New Bedford Whaling Museum Executive Assistant at Karten's Jewelers, Rebecca found her true calling as the Executive Director of first Tifereth Israel Synagogue in New Bedford, and later Temple Emunah of Lexington, MA.

After retiring to Orleans, Rebecca and Michael began playing duplicate bridge again. They played in tournaments and clubs on the Cape and Boston and eventually achieved Life Master Status.

Rebecca’s involvement in the Jewish Community continued, as she became a member of Am Hayam. She became a leader of this community, publishing their newsletter, and launching a women’s Torah study group which still meets to this day.

After the passing of her beloved Michael, she returned to the non-profit sector taking a part time job as the Executive Director of Cape Cod Mass Appeal of Wellfleet. While there, they faced eviction. Rebecca launched a campaign to save Mass Appeal and keep them in their current location. They are still there today.

Rebecca had planned to move to the Golda Meir House in Auburndale, but sadly, that never came to pass.

She is survived by two children, Seth Holmes and his wife Amanda of Burlington, MA, Stacy Fournier and her husband Marc of Dartmouth; one brother James Wollison and his companion Mary Ryan of FL; three grandchildren, Aileen, Michael and Gerard Holmes and one nephew Will Wollison, his wife Jessica, and their son Jude.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10:30AM in Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Avenue, New Bedford, MA. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in Plainville Cemetery, New Bedford. A meal of condolence is to follow at Tifereth Israel Congregation.

Contributions in her honor may be made to:

Mass Appeal Wellfleet (https://www.ccmassappeal.org/supportus)

Music Camps North (https://musiccampsnorth.com/)

Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Research (pancan.org)

Am Hayam Cape Cod (https://www.ahycc.org/donate)