Therese Holmes

Therese B. Holmes, a long-time resident of Ridgewood and formerly of New York City, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2019. Therese was born on June 3, 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a surprise to all, arriving 3 minutes after her twin, Gabrielle. Therese grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cathedral High School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College in Manhattan and a Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ.

Therese met Wayne L. Holmes, who had recently moved from Ann Arbor, Michigan, on a blind date in 1954 and married him on September 25th that year. After living in the Bronx for several years, they moved to Ridgewood where they lived for 49 years, raising their family. Therese and Wayne were married for 54 years before he passed away in 2009.

Therese was a school psychologist with the Ramapo Central School District in Rockland County, NY, retiring in 1988. Therese loved to travel, especially to the countries of her ancestors, France and Ireland, and all over the U.S. In addition to travelling, she loved books, good wine, gardening, skiing, Sunday’s NY Times crossword puzzle, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, plays, and activities. She had a deep, rich life filled with her family and dear friends, living with a “joie de vivre” that she shared with and inspired in all who knew her.

After 50 years in Ridgewood, Therese spent 8 years living in her beloved New York City, with her twin sister, overlooking the Hudson River, where she loved hosting her family and friends, attending the theater, visiting museums, and watching the world go by on Broadway while dining al fresco.

Therese is survived by her loving children Andrew Holmes and his wife Tricia Gorman, Lin Holmes Howe and her husband Robert Howe, Christopher Holmes, and Wayne Patrick Holmes and his wife, Janet Rogan Holmes. Cherished grandmother of Kerry and Trevor Howe, and Griffin, Madeleine, Ryan, and Maeve Holmes. She is also survived by her twin sister, Gabrielle Wagner, and her sister, Adele Blong, and Adele’s husband, Steven Cole, and many devoted nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

A wake was held October 8th at the Feeney Funeral Home in Ridgewood, with a celebration of Therese’s life to be held at a later date. Donations in her name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.