HOLMAN, META “JEAN”
(nee Pridge)
March 8, 1924 – September 18, 2014
Our beloved Mother, Nan, and Great Nan Meta Jean was taken from us unexpectedly after a brief illness. She was born in Cumberland, BC to Margaret and James Pridge. She left this world peacefully at the age of 90 in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with three of her daughters by her side and shortly after her passing had seven of her eight children in the room to say their goodbyes.
Jean is survived by all of her children, Gloria Hallstrom (Dave), Ben Williams (Barb), Bob Miller (Glenda), Sharon Thomas, Jack Miller (Lois), Marilyn Smith (Wade), Rod Miller (Catherine), and Heather Tilley (Randy) as well as twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Fred Holman and leaves behind her step-daughter Judy Holman and step-son David Holman. She is also survived by two brothers, one sister and many nieces and nephews.
As we held Mom’s hands with love during the last hours of her life, we looked, really looked, at her hands and thought “if these hands could talk...” Mom’s hands welcomed eight children into this world…. Mom’s hands held and comforted her children and grandchildren as well as taught us right from wrong… Mom’s hands loved to harvest from her garden… Mom’s hands raised chickens and pigs… Mom’s hands skinned cascara trees to help make ends meet... Mom’s hands made jams, baked buns, and made thousands of jars of preserves she so graciously shared with family and friends… Mom’s hands peeled many a ‘silver skin onion’ until her fingers wouldn’t straighten…these will be missed by all... Mom’s hands dealt many hands of solitaire and placed many chips on bingo cards over the years… we can still hear those words “Come on O clickety-click 66”… Mom’s hands blessed many lives and gave love to all they touched… Mom’s hands opened the door to her home to many people including nieces, nephews, and friends in their time of need… Mom’s hands were full of love… we were thankful to hold Mom’s hands when she needed them held…xox
Some of us children remember the smell of homemade French fries and bread that were always like a beacon guiding us home from school at lunch, accompanied by her singing along with Wilf or Hank. She loved her music and doing the Polka and could still be found in her later years of life singing along or yodeling when we came to visit. Her love of music and dance will live on forever through her children.
Through all of life’s ups and downs, the love for family and friends deep in her heart had no equal, always putting the well-being of others ahead of her own. Through her final days, she was still more concerned with her families’ health than her own. No more worrying Mom, it is time to rest your hands and remember…”It’s not goodbye, it’s just so long!”
A memorial tea will be held in Mom’s honour Saturday, November 8th, 2014 from 12:00 – 4:00pm at the Cranberry Fire Hall located at 1555 Morden Road, Nanaimo BC