Beloved Sister - Aunt - Friend
It is with great sadness that we share that our sister Holly Ann passed away in her sleep from heart failure on January 13, 2023. She lived for the last 20 years in Cottonwood, Arizona, first with our mother, and later in a group home managed by the YES the ARC. Our family will be forever grateful for the kindness, love and support that the staff and community of the ARC provided to Holly.
Holly attended the public schools in Clinton, CT and received a certificate from The Morgan School. It meant a lot to her that she was given special recognition at the graduation for her love of people and the joy she brought to the school. She lived a full life and moved from Clinton to her final home in Sedona/Cottonwood, AZ. Holly loved her family, people, animals, parties and enjoyed life to the fullest. Her parents (Jack and Holly) believed in main-stream education (not really a thing in the 70’s) and never accepted limitations because of her down syndrome. Her Mother, also believed in her endlessly and was her loving companion later in life.
Her life was greatly enriched in later years by her relationship with the ARC where she attended their fantastic day programs and then moved into their loving and supportive group home. Holly was a strong competitor and excelled at swimming and Special Olympic competitions. She also enjoyed cooking, music, art and dancing. Her abilities were an inspiration, and she used that extra chromosome to its fullest. She was full of love and hugs.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, January 23 at 10:00am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cottonwood, AZ and followed later with an internment in Clinton, CT. Further details will be posted as they become available.
Holly is survived by 12 nieces and nephews: Helen, Christian, Kevin, Kyle, Eric, Jessica, Sarah, Jenni, Michael, Brian, Danny and Jack; her siblings Lisa (Mike) (predeceased) of Clinton, Matt (Dana) in Old Saybrook, Ct, Brian (Ellen) in Annapolis, MD and Paul (Mary Jane) in Glenwood, MD; and by all of her loved ones at the ARC.
We are forever grateful to YES the ARC of Cottonwood and its staff for the loving care they provided Holly and ask that in lieu of flowers you consider a charitable contribution to YES the ARC in Holly’s name:
YES The Arc
P.O. Box 1061
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
or go online as follows: https://yesthearc.org/donate/
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