Lyyli Maria (Lindholm) Holman

WINCHENDON - Lyyli Maria (Lindholm) Holman, formerly of Winchendon, died on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008, in Huntsville, Texas, at the age of 94. Lyyli was born in East Rindge, NH on June 9,1914, as a daughter to Finnish immigrants, Anna-Kaisa (Katri ) Karhunen and Viktor Lindholm. At the age of five, she entered the first grade at the small village school in East Rindge, in order to learn English. This she did so quickly that she was soon acting as an unofficial interpreter for New England Finnish migrant workers. She had many fond memories of those times. Lyyli later attended school in Boston and New York, graduating from Murdock High School in Winchendon in 1932. At the age of nineteen, she married Mitford Holman of Winchendon. Their marriage lasted till Mitford's death in 1987. Reading was always Mrs. Holman's favorite pastime. Her love of books became so obvious that, while working as a seamstress in a Winchendon factory, she was recruited to work at Beals Memorial Library by those who had noticed her frequent library visits and love of learning. Work in a library was her dream job, and, in due time, she received a degree in library science from the University of New Hampshire. It is rare to meet a person as dedicated to her work as Mrs. Holman was. Library work was a true calling for her. Although she did not have children of her own, she was a respected and loved mother figure and role model for a multitude of Winchendon girls and boys, for whom she held reading groups. She taught not only library research techniques but also manners, love of learning, and-life. Mrs. Holman worked at Beals Memorial Library until her retirement in 1977. Lyyli was fond of traveling. She traveled widely in her parents' homeland, Finland, looking for her roots and making friends with her relatives. She also made trips to other Scandinavian countries, as well as Russia. Lyyli was highly knowledgeable about history, geography, and-naturally-literature. She loved theater and movies. Her friends and relatives remember her as a good narrator, whose real-life stories were full of warmth and situational humor. Lyyli is survived by her nephew John Lindholm and his wife Carol, of Deltona, Florida. She is also fondly remembered by her long-time friend Kenneth Clark of Winchendon, her niece Helena Adams and husband Rob of Huntsville, Texas, and many other friends and relatives. Graveside Services will be held Thursday, June 4th at 1 P.M. in Riverside Cemetery, Glenallen Street, Winchendon. The Rev. Marguerite Sheehan, pastor of the Church of the Unity, will officiate. A gathering will follow the service at the Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant Street with a luncheon to follow in the Carriage House Restaurant.. The Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements. www.stone-ladeau.com