Dolores Marie Holman

Dolores Marie (Dee) Holman passed away peacefully on June 10, 2023 at Cypress Village at the age of 95.  She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 31, 1927. Her children and most of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren had the gift of being present at her bedside in her final days. Dee was predeceased by her husband Robert E. (Bob) Holman (1977), her son Mark Holman (2007), and grandson Brian Cole (2001). She is also predeceased by her father, Hulbert H. Hassinger, and her mother, Gladys Phelps Hassinger.

After marrying Bob in 1950, Bob’s career with Mutual of Omaha took them to Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as Charlotte and Winston-Salem, NC, before moving to Jacksonville in 1965 where they settled and enjoyed years of friends and travel. Affectionately known as Mimi by family and friends, she was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her world revolved around her family and she never missed an opportunity to be with them for family dinners, trips to Cashiers, NC and Amelia Island, sporting events, recitals, and graduations. Her entertaining, decorating, cooking, and famous “Mimi Snack”, are legendary. She is survived by her brother Jack Phelps Hassinger of Marietta, GA and her loving children Kathy Cole (Bob) of Atlantic Beach, FL, Linda Dillon (Ben) of Raleigh, NC, Sharon DeCarlo of Jacksonville, FL, Scott Holman (Carolyn) of Tampa, FL, along with grandchildren Blake Cole (Vicky), Brett Cole, Brendan Dillon (Lexie), Jennifer Dillon, Michael DeCarlo (Samantha), Wright Holman, Charlotte Holman and Mary Scott Holman. Her great-grandchildren, who always ran in the door immediately looking for her, are Norah, Bobby, Lincoln and Margot Cole, her namesake Dolores Cole, Alex Bailey, and Mikey, Jack and Benny DeCarlo. 

After raising five children and becoming an empty nester, she surprised her children with a phone call one day, saying: “Guess what? I am starting a job” and went on to work for many years at the Hallmark shop where she spread joy and made everyone feel special. She taught many a young man the art of selecting the right birthday, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day cards. The store became known by her family as “Mimi’s Shop”.

Dee was an avid sports fan with a special love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Florida State Seminoles, and the Atlanta Braves. Not only did she go to spring training baseball games with her best friend of 60 years, Muriel Beeler, she also loved to talk sports with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Just last week, she was getting updates from the boys on the Braves current lead in the National League East.

Dee is also survived by the many dear friends she made during the past two years at Brookdale Southside where she lived independently until recently.  She will be missed by her “happy hour” friends who came to love her like family.

A celebration of her wonderful life will be held on June 24, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Chapel at Beach Church, 325 7^th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, followed by a reception at the church campus.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dee’s honor to the National Aphasia Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida.