Nancy Elizabeth Holdeman

Nancy E. Holdeman passed away peacefully at Placentia Linda Hospital on Friday, May 27, 2022 at the age of 80 years young, with her son, Michael, and her friend, Nancy, by her side. In addition to her son, she is survived by her Two Brothers (Adon H. & J. Michael), Two Stepbrothers (Ed & Mark Pynchon), her Son-in-Law (Mike Carr), her Daughter-in-Law (Michelle), Seven Grandchildren (Ashley, Justin, Cameron, Joshua, Hailey, Emily & Lauren), and Eight Great Grandchildren (Landon, Cadence, Logan, Justin Jr., Zowie, Cooper, Colton & Nolan). She even has a Ninth Great Granddaughter on the way, who she would have loved tremendously, just as much as all her other Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by several Nieces and Nephews. She was preceded in her death by her Parents (Arthur & Dorothea), her Stepmother (Mary Nell), her Sister (Susan), her Husband (Forrest), her Daughter (Teresa), and her Son (Matthew).

Nancy was born in Syracuse, New York and grew up with two brothers and a sister.  She was a 66-year resident of Orange County where she spent the last 45 years residing in Placentia. She also lived in Texas, Florida and Arizona with her family prior to arriving in California in the Summer of 1956. When first coming to California, she attended Fremont Junior High School. Her high school days were spent at Anaheim High School, graduating in 1960. She even attended school with Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers and knowing him was her claim to fame until she began working at Disneyland that is. She worked at Disneyland for many years, managing the Gift Shops in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It was at Disneyland, where she met her husband to be and she also met Walt Disney and many of the original Mouseketeers, such as Annette Funicello and Bobby Burgess. She never missed a TV Episode of the Mouseketeers.

Nancy had a love for writing to just about everyone she met. She even wrote to Bobby Burgess often, maintaining a friendship throughout the years. She absolutely loved writing a note in a Christmas Card, a Birthday Card, Thank You Card or just a Letter to let you know what was new in her life. For some, she even wrote letters and included clippings of comics, which really showed her love for laughter. For those of us left behind, who have had the pleasure of having Nancy in their lives, we know she was a sweet, loving, caring, and witty woman who loved her family and friends deeply and thought about them often.

Her work life had been put on hold while raising three kids into their Junior High and High School days. It was then that she began taking medical classes and started working as a Front Office Manager for Dr. Linder, a Podiatrist in Yorba Linda. It was a job she’d stay at until she retired. Being retired gave her more time to do the other thing she loved doing, collecting antiques and collectibles. This love would eventually have her open-up an antique store with her friend, Gayle (her daughter-in-law’s mother). The shop was called A Moment In Time and was located on Main Street in Yorba Linda. Nancy would go to garage sales every weekend she could and would even travel to Los Angeles from time to time to visit the various antique shows. Through it all, she always spoke highly of her Collectibles, or what she called her “Treasures.” Sadly after 5 years, Gayle and Nancy had to close the doors for good. However, this didn’t stop her from collecting and collecting. She just loved her stuff, especially her dolls. She could probably open a doll museum with everything she collected over the years!

Aside from her dolls, figurines, antique cabinets, books and simply all her Knick knacks, I'm sure most would remember her joking about her age, "I'm only 29!" she'd say. She'd tell that to anyone who'd listen, even after being 29 for 51 years! She can now be “29 Forever”.

All who knew Nancy, know she’d tell everyone to hug a loved one extra hard today. Tell them you love them more than you did yesterday. Enjoy a good laugh, great conversation or a good book. Don't let one day go, good or bad, without acknowledging the love you have for your family and friends. Nancy never did. She simply loved and loved greatly.

Thank you to all family members and friends for taking this journey of life with her. Whether you saw each other often, or even if it's been many years ago, please know that Nancy loved you and cherished every moment she had with you. Until we all meet her again in the Kingdom of Heaven, let the tears wash away the sadness, and allow the love and laughter that Nancy brought to your lives to shine through into your days, and bring you encouragement along the way.

In John 16:22, Jesus promises, “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” Nancy is now rejoicing!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." – Revelation 21:4 For now, I’m sure the tears will come often as we all think about Nancy and the family members who left this life too early but know the tears will eventually be wiped away when it is our time to rejoice with the Lord.