Shirley Holt

(nee Youhas) Shirley Holt, on May 30, 2023, age 87 of Collingswood, NJ. Shirley was born in Scranton, PA to Cornelia and George Youhas, attended Hanover Twp. public schools in Wilkes-Barre, PA and graduated cum laude from Misericordia University, Dallas, PA in 1957. After graduation, she was a teacher of English in Lindenhurst and Garden City, NY. She then worked in New York City at IBM Corporate Headquarters after taking graduate courses at Fordham University, Penn State University, University of Colorado, Boulder, and later New York University, Lasalle and Rowan Universities.

In 1964 Shirley married the late Frederick Connelly Holt of Louisville, KY at Queen of Angels Church in New York City and moved to Haddonfield, NJ.  The couple have two children, Jon Lawrence Holt of Seaville, NJ and Ms. Gladys Holt of Mount Laurel, NJ; one granddaughter Olivia.

Shirley began her career as teacher of English, Latin and French and for the last ten years taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in public day and evening schools and Camden County College evening classes as well as CCD at two Parishes.  She retired in June 2000.

Shirely was a dedicated lifetime student, a lover of books, animals and travel, having visited 26 countries from 1962 to 2006 mostly in Europe but including Canada and the Middle East. She enjoyed her students especially meetings ones from a variety of countries both young and adult.  She is survived by her son Jon, daughter Gladys, and granddaughter Olivia, cousins Frank Pallo and family of Fairport, NY and cousins Barbara Mantz and family Ringoes, NJ and her ducks in the park on Church Rd.  She has been a member of The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light Church in Cherry Hill where she was active briefly in the CCD program and longtime member of the COL Book Club which in part satisfied her search for spiritual knowledge and inspiration as well as the pleasure of meeting some fellow pilgrims along the journey of life.

Relatives and friends of the family will meet for her visitation and funeral on June 9th, Friday morning from 10:00AM to 10:50AM in Christ The King R.C Church, 200 Windsor Ave, Haddonfield, NJ. 08033.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 11:00am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Berlin, NJ.  Arr. by BOCCO FUNERAL HOME of Cherry Hill. 

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