Donna Mae Meacham Holland

Donna Mae Meacham Holland, a long time resident of Las Cruces, lost her battle with Alzheimer's on December 17, 2009. Donna was born on May 17, 1931 in Kingsville, Ohio, to parents Carroll Meacham and Lucy Eastly Meacham. Donna Holland is survived by her husband of 58 years, Bert Holland, children Robert Holland and wife Terese Ford of Jemez Springs, NM, Gary Holland and wife Kyong of Phoenix, AZ, and Cyndi Holland and husband Brad Geller of Tucson, AZ. Donna is also survived by her sister Mary Lou Hardin of Huntsville, AL, preceded in death by her sister Millie Hosenthien and brother George Meacham. Donna has two grandchildren Erik Holland of El Paso, TX, Kara Holland Birge of El Paso, TX, and one great-granddaughter Sydney Rose Birge. Donna has nieces Kay Burris of Norman, OK and Nancy Hosenthien of Huntsville, AL. Donna was raised by her Aunt Mildred and Uncle Martin Smith of Las Cruces, NM. They moved briefly to Hollywood, CA where she attended Hollywood High School. The family moved back to Las Cruces and Donna graduated from Las Cruces Union High School in May 1949. She attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts, now NMSU, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Education in June 1953. While attending college, she met and married Bert Holland. Donna was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and participated in many of their functions throughout her lifetime. Donna taught elementary school in the Las Cruces Public School System for 26 years, taking time off to have three children, Robert, Gary, and Cyndi. Over the years she taught at Central Elementary, Loma Heights Elementary, Conlee Elementary, and Hermosa Heights Elementary from where she retired in 1987. She influenced and encouraged hundreds of students leaving a wonderful legacy in the community for many years to come, a legacy of which her family is so very proud. Donna and Bert were members of the Aggie Booster Club, Century Club, from 1969-1981. They were members of the Sun Country Striders Volkssport Club, in which they participated together for several years. Donna was involved in the community in many ways. She was a member of the Woman's Improvement Association, served as president and participated in many functions for years. She was also a member of the Las Cruces Junior Women's Club. She received great satisfaction giving her time to help others. For years, she also volunteered at Mesilla Valley Hospice. Her hobby and life long passion was gardening, specifically growing flowers. She was a member of the Mesilla Valley Iris Society, American Iris Society, Mesilla Valley Garden Club, Desert Daubers Garden Club, and New Mexico Garden Clubs. She won many awards, including Best of Show, at flower shows for her beautiful iris. She eventually moved in to designing arrangements. She won numerous awards for her designs, receiving very high honors by having her designs featured in the National Council of State Garden Club's Vision of Beauty calendar for several years. She served as president of the Mesilla Valley Garden Club and won the Desert Dauber's Designer of the Year award in 1993 and 1994. Her experience with flowers and designing took her to the next step of becoming certified to judge flowers and designs in the State of New Mexico. She continued her judging studies to become Master Judge. She judged shows all over the state, spoke at seminars and displayed her techniques. She loved teaching and passing along her knowledge, experience and love of flowers. The family of Donna Holland wishes to express great appreciation to Jill Shannon and the staff of Casa Bella Residential Home and the Ambercare Hospice staff for the loving care they provided for their mother. Donna Holland inspired her family and gave them encouragement all during her life. She will live in our memories forever. A memorial service will be held at Getz Funeral Home on January 16, 2010 at 2pm. Flowers, Donna's passion, are welcomed. Also the family requests that donations can be made to Ambercare Foundation, 850 N. Telshor #A., Las Cruces, NM 88005 (575) 894-1828. PDF Printable Version