Mary Ann Holden (nee Vatterott) died Friday, March 20, 2020 surrounded by her family. She was survived by her husband of 60 years, Gerald “Jerry” Holden, her sons Matthew Holden (Kathy Scoggin), Gregory Holden (Denise Schwarzbach) Joseph Holden (Carol) and her daughter, Mary P. Holden (Patrick Wood), granddaughters Sarah Holden and Becky Rennels, and four grandsons Jonathan Holden (Shayda Teymourpour) Eric Holden (Kristin) Joseph Holden and Jacob Holden. A great-granddaughter Ellie Morozovich and a great-grandson due in the end of May. She is also survived by numerous siblings Kathleen Valenta (Richard), Gregory Vatterott (Susan), John Vatterott (Joan), Catherine Vatterott-Langton, Susan Bresnen, Claire Hundelt (Bruce), Winnifred Greathouse (Mike), Genevieve Coughlin (Jim), Chris Vatterott (Nancy) Robert Vatterott (Martha) and Betty Vatterott and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her fathers, Gregory Vatterott and Charles F. Vatterott Jr., her mother Mary Patricia Vatterott (nee Dolan), four sisters and one brother.
Gerald “Jerry” Michael Holden died Friday, April 3, 2020 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his sons Matthew Holden (Kathy Scoggin), Gregory Holden (Denise Schwarzbach) Joseph Holden (Carol) and his daughter, Mary P. Holden (Patrick Wood), granddaughters Sarah Holden and Becky Rennels, and four grandsons Jonathan Holden (Shayda Teymourpour) Eric Holden (Kristin) Joseph Holden and Jacob Holden. A great-granddaughter Ellie Morozovich and a great-grandson due in the end of May. He is also survived by one sister, Janet Holden, one brother Michael Holden, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann of 60 years, on March 20, 2020 and his parents, Mabel Holden (nee Hutcheon) and Michael Holden.
Mary Ann and Jerry celebrated 60 years of marriage on August 29, 2019. Throughout their 60 years they raised four children instilling strong family values and bonds between them. They met on a blind date while Jerry was a piolet in the Air Force stationed a Scott Air Force Base.
Mary Ann and Jerry loved, supported and mentored many throughout their years. Their joy was their family and friends and the time spent together. They loved doing things for and with the family and friends but when it came to the grandchildren, they there was little they wouldn’t do. Mary Ann drove Jake to 8 different stores to find a model Jaguar XJ8 so he could give it to his Grandpa for Christmas; Jerry painting Sarah’s nails with yellow nail polish and let Sarah paint his with yellow nail polish; Mary Ann taking all the grandchildren to Lake of Ozarks for spring break by herself; putting on lipstick before going into the bait shop to get bait for them to fish with; Jerry taking the boys trout fishing; Mary Ann taking Joe to Bass Pro and buying a bow and target and only using it twice because that was Joe’s interest; Jerry going to the boys wrestling meets, baseball games, boxing matches; Mary Ann asking Sarah what socks she had on and always preferred when they were unmatched; Jerry watching the 2004 Stanley cup finals with Jake; Mary Ann putting a fork to the elbows on the table; spending time at the beach with Jonathan, Eric and Matt and yell “bar’s open” at noon but they waited until 3:30; Mary Ann being introduced to Lucy (Eric and Kristin dog) and prosecco at Eric and Kristin’s new house for a family birthday celebration and drinking the entire bottle; Mary Ann making cookies with Sarah; Jerry’s smile and glimmer in his eye when he met Shayda for the first time; breakfast at Denny’s; stops at Steak N Shake; fly fishing trips; carving tenderloin on Christmas Eve; Jerry giving his advice on the back porch to Jake before leaving for the army; Jerry always watching as we drove away smiling and waving; and the two dancing in the kitchen to Lou Bega, “Mombo Number 5” while making dinner.
Mary Ann and Jerry were examples for all of us to follow and we were so blessed and lucky to have had them as parents, grandparents, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, mentor and friend. They will live on in us because of their examples for how to live and love. They will be remembered for their faith, glimmer in their eyes, their smile, their laughter, elegance, the color yellow, sense of humor; the lessons we have learned, Brooks Brothers, passion for the Jesuit education, tea parties, reading the paper at the kitchen counter, great teeth, and the love they shared and gave all of us. We miss and love you Mom and Pops.