Mrs. Sheila Holder

Sheila Holder (nee Dunn), aged 81 of Silver Spring, Maryland, USA and Golden Grove, Guyana, South America, passed away suddenly on September 15, 2015 at the Holy Cross Hospital, MD. Sheila, lovingly known as Mummy Sheila by her grands, was born July 27, 1934, the youngest of seven children to Joseph and Eliza Dunn (nee Hawker) at Whim, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana. In 1956 Sheila married the late Henry E. Holder (Nurse/Pharmacist) of Golden Grove, Guyana, who preceded her in death on October 7, 2008.

She was a proud elementary school teacher/headmistress in Guyana all of her working life; from 1952 until her retirement in 1988. In July 2001 she migrated to the USA to join her only daughter and would travel to Guyana occasionally; her last being only July 2014 to July 2015. She loved imparting knowledge to others, reading, crocheting, baking and listening to oldies music, having great conversations and hearty laughter. Mummy Sheila lived for her children, of whom she was very proud. Her later years were spent mainly being at home, enjoying the company of her children, grands, great-grands and sister, listening to her favorite TV programs and the news. She was always aware of current events, especially politics in the US and Guyana. Our beloved Sheila lived a quiet, peaceful life and was quite a lady in her conduct and appearance. She never complained, except of occasional aches and pains from arthritis, which slowed her movements in the last 5 years.

Sheila Holder-Dunn is survived by:

Four (4) Children; Justice Franklin D. Holder of Guyana, Dr. Donna Holder-Smithey (PharmD) of Silver Spring, MD, Mr. Gary A. Holder (Architect) of Guyana and Mr. Floyd M. Holder (Engineer) of Trinidad.

Eight (8) grandchildren; twins Fianna Holder-Phill and Fiona Holder-Griffith of Bowie, Maryland, Kaslyn Holder-Collins and Jaleel Holder of B.V, Guyana, Joseph Smithey of Maryland, Dionne and Delica Holder of Washington, D.C and Ayesha Holder of Trinidad.

Five (5) great-grandchildren: Joel and Joanna Phill, Kaleel Griffith, Aleeka and Aaliyah Collins.

Siblings: Doreen Dunn of Guyana and Dennis Dunn of England.

Son-in-law: Thomas Smithey Daughters-in-law: Barbara Thomas-Holder and Janice Daly-Holder.

Sisters-in-law: Victorine Creavalle, Rita, Irma and Monica Dunn, Iryl and Allison Holder.

Grandsons-in-law: Keith Phill, Seaton Griffith and Allister Collins.

Nieces & Nephews: Barbara Turnbull, Trevor and Donald Dunn of UK, Phillip, Michael and Gregory Dunn of Canada, Karen Ash, Michele and Adrian Dunn of Trinidad, Francis Arjoon, Donna, Dawn, Debra and Denise Dunn of Guyana and Adrian Dunn of USA.

Relatives: Mavis Ross, Edna Davis, Kenneth Fairbairn, Benjamin Richmond, Christene Richmond, Jane Lewis, Patricia Houston-Henry, Carmen Artry, Idalia Deane, Ethylene Davis, Jean Edwards, John Pestano, Herman Sangster, Roland Boodie, Ela Moore, Lorna Williams, the Dunns’, Hawkers’, Houstons’, Austins’, Babbs’, Caldeiras’ and many others.

Friends: Claudia Charles, the Smitheys’, Joycelyn Benfield, Yvonne Dean, Gwendolyn Ward, Denise Gentle and many others.

RIP dear Mom and Grandma … with love, until we meet again!