Dorothy R. Gill Holden, 94, of Centerville, passed away July 23, at the Kindred Forestview Nursing Home. Dorothy was the wife of the late Earl L. Holden.
Dorothy was born at home at 21 Concord Street in New Bedford, MA, the daughter of the late William Gill and Alice Harwood Gill. “Dot” graduated from New Bedford High School in 1936 and went on to complete nurses training at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. She Married Earl Layland Holden at the Wesley Methodist Church in New Bedford in August of 1940. Together they raised three daughters.
After WWII, Dot and her husband opened an automotive company Earl L. Holden, Inc. in New Bedford, with Dot doing the bookkeeping. Outside of work, the longtime couple (since 2nd grade) became amateur pilots. They became avid boaters and golfers as well and belonged to both New Bedford Country Club and Cummaquid Country Club on Cape Cod. In retirement, Dot and Earl spent winters in Fort Lauderdale and summers on Cape Cod. In recent years Dot participated in Barnstable Senior Adult Day Program where she developed many friendships.
Dot is survived by her three daughters, Donna H. Maxfield of Marion, MA, Joyce R. Francis and her husband Charles of East Bridgewater and Pamela S. Craig of Boca Raton, FL. She has one grandson Eric and his wife Mary, two great grandchildren Holden and Eliza.
She is the sister of the late Ruth Shirley Stewardson and niece of the late Gertrude Warrington.
A private memorial service will be held by the family.