Jane Emerson Holden, age 60, of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, May 18, 2012, at Spaulding Hospital in Cambridge after heroically battling breast cancer.
Jane was born on October 22, 1951 in Boston. She was raised in Melrose, attended the Beebe School, Melrose Junior High School and Melrose High School. She completed her education in 1971 at the Manter Hall School in Cambridge. After graduating, Jane worked as a teacher's aide in several childcare facilities on the North Shore as well as a personal care attendant for senior and disabled adults.
She enjoyed bird watching and biking, arts and crafts, music, hiking and horseback riding.Jane was kind and compassionate with a wonderful smile and sense of humor.Throughout her life, Jane touched those around her and inspired them to be better and kinder, and to think beyond themselves.
Jane is pre-deceased by her loving parents, Marynoyes K. Holden and Robert B. Holden, M.D.Jane is survived by her siblings, Robert Holden and his wife, Hilary Hosmer; Marynoyes Holden; Mark Holden and his wife, Melissa Sweet; Leslie Ann Holden and her husband, Robert Noland; Peter Holden and his wife, Rochelle Strenger, M.D.Jane also leaves a large community of caring relatives including her aunt Ruth Spencer, eight nieces and nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Jane's life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, May 23 for visiting hours from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, and for her Funeral Service held at 11:00 AM.Interment in Main Street Cemetery, Rowley.
If you wish, gifts in Jane's memory may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), www.nami.org, or the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) www.narsad.org