Mary Jeanette Holder, age 92, passed away peacefully December 16, 2019 after a brief illness. She was born March 9, 1927 in Portland, Oregon to John Raymond Flaherty and Rose Marie McGinley. She grew up in Portland, Oregon and Multnomah Falls, Oregon, before she met and married Howard Leon Holder; they were wedded for more than 65 years.

Mary Jeanette "Jeanette" and Howard settled in El Paso, Texas in the mid 1950's, where they raised seven children; Curtis, Larry, Leon, Steve, Mark, Greg and MaryAnn.

Mary Jeanette spent more than 35 years in El Paso before relocating to Portland, Oregon in 1993.

Jeanette was a devoted and loving mother.  She was very proud of her family and was excited to become a grandmother to her 18 grandchildren.  Jeanette loved holidays and family get-togethers; any chance to spend time with her family was important to her.  She would spend hours cooking and preparing for her company.

Jeanette was known for having a great sense of humor, intelligence and the ability to converse with anyone. She loved to do the Sunday crossword, traveling, playing bridge and was a voracious reader. She studied English Literature at the University of Texas and was a Dean's List student.  In her later years, she resided in Paris, France for periods of time, spending time traveling between North Carolina, Portland, Oregon and Paris. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Jeanette is survived by Howard Leon Holder, of Dubach, Louisiana, Curtis and Debbie Burnham of Bixby, Oklahoma, Larry and Oxana Burnham of Vancouver, Washington, Howard Leon Holder Jr and Kathy Holder of Vancouver, Steve Holder of Medellin, Colombia, Mark and Deanna Holder of Greenbrier, Arkansas, Greg Holder of Vancouver, and MaryAnn Holder-Browne and Ewan Browne of Dallas, Texas.  She was devoted to and beloved by her 18 grandchildren, Tracy Burnham, Joe Burnham, Josh Burnham, David Burnham, Simeon Burnham, Mariya Burnham, Michael Burnham and Luka Burnham,  Faith Holder Gallegos, Evan Holder, Alexandra Holder, Mitchell Holder, Lee Holder, Aidan Browne, Estelle Browne, and Julian Browne.  She also had great-grandchildren; Ava Gallegos and Audrey Gallegos.

There will be a celebration of her life in Ruston, Louisiana on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Owens Funeral Home, 2300 W. California Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana 71270.

To leave an online memorial message please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.