Mary Veronica (DeWitt) Holahan

Her life was dedicated to family and children. Our hearts are broken, but what she left us endures. Ronnie grew up in Yonkers and adored her dad, David, a detective with the NYPD in Brooklyn NY, and her mom, Alma, a teacher. She often reminisced about how loving and wonderful her life was with her parents and three brothers, David, John and Chris. Tragically, she and her brothers lost both their parents at very young ages, but this devastation fostered her commitment to her own family.

Ronnie raised four kids, put the food on the table, cooked it, worked full-time and earned a master’s degree in between it all. She was an educator for over 30 years, first as a teacher and later as a guidance counselor. Although this was a labor of love, she needed to do it to support her family. In the process, she helped thousands of children learn and grow. She deeply understood what it was like to need help and gave it abundantly.

For her own children, we have lost the person we turned to the most during challenging times. She helped put everything in perspective. Ronnie had her own struggles, especially in her later years, but through those we learned from her again, and she ultimately persevered with the untiring support of her daughter, Megan. One thing we learned is that no one is perfect in this life, but the people we look up to are perfect when they are living their commitment. Our mom did that.

Ronnie enjoyed the beach in Ocean City, NJ with her family for many summers. She cooked the most amazing meals we all have eaten. Her only possession that will be fought over will be her cookbook. The winner will get her recipes - a treasure - but the love that was served with them will be in our hearts alone. She was slightly immodest in recounting stories of beating life masters (repeatedly) in bridge, a game she loved. She corrected our grammar (we still do not get it), and she could be strict about homework and manners (hopefully we got those), but she was soft in the important stuff. She was there when we needed her in small times often, in big times in a big way.

She is survived by her children and their spouses: Megan and Brian of Milton, GA; David and Cindy of Rye, NY; Daniel and Susan of Sayville, NY; and Richard and Marie of New Canaan, CT. She adored her 12 grandchildren and pictures of them filled her bedside table at her death: Ted (20), Maggie (18), Brendan (16), Danny (15), David (13), Lizzie (13), Brian (12), Nick (11), Timmy (11), Kelly (10), John (9) and Chris (8).

Her last words to all her kids, who were with her at her death, were “I love you.” We were wonderfully blessed with the last chance to tell her we loved her too.

Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Tuesday 5-8pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Christ the King Church on Wednesday April 21st at 10:30am. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com