Verena Josephine Holdforth

Verena Josephine Holdforth nee' Brisbois passed away on March 6th, 2017, in Fort Washington, Maryland. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM at Lee Funeral Home 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Wednesday March 22nd at Lee Funeral Home 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. Burial will follow at 1 PM at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Hwy, Cheltenham, MD 20623. Verena was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 3rd, 1925 to Frederic Brisbois and Clara Brisbois nee' Kirkpatrick. She went to St. Rose of Lima High School in Detroit, Michigan where she helped lead her softball team to the 1940 Detroit city championship. She served the US Navy in World War II as a WAVE where she met and would soon marry William A. Holdforth. Over the next 14 years, the family would grow to 6 boys. Verena balanced work with family and joined the secret service of women who would keep the family going and growing while husbands served our country overseas or were transferred from military post to military post. In 1966 she began working at the Chief Petty Officers Club at the Washington Navy Yard. As a loyal employee she would wait tables, check coats, tend bar, handle administrative duties, and do whatever work needed to be done. When the new CPO club was opened in 1996, Mrs Holdforth was the center of the festivities. From the newest sailor to the Admiral, everyone knew and loved her. Verena retired at age 79 in 2004. In addition to her full-time employment, Mrs. Holdforth also helped start the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association (Branch 67) in 1966 and would be elected it's 1st President. This calling, along with her memberships with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, would be a part of her everyday life. These organizations benefited from her sense duty and dedication to her fellow veterans and charitable causes. She is preceded in death by her husband William A., and Great Grandson Robert Rogers, sisters Suzie, Virginia and Elizabeth and brother Alfred. She is survived by her 6 sons, Vernon A. (Anna Marie), William R., James E., Robert J., Thomas J., and John F. Holdforth (Cindy) Grandchildren Katherine Brooke, Sandra Barreda, Ethan, Claire, and Jenna Holdforth. Great Grand-Children Cody Rogers, Cesean Ross, Cesar and Carlos Barreda. Her sister, Mary Sims, and Sister-in-Law Trude Brisbois. Many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Numerous honorary #7 sons, including but not limited to Frank Ciarleglio, Nathan Neal, Tom Rovinski. and David (Sid) Sheldon. As a reminder of her love of baseball, she requested to be buried wearing her Detroit Tigers shirt, her Detroit Tigers mug, and her passion pink lipstick. In Lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her memory to: St. Judes Children's Research Fund 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 Summerglen Veterans Club 16294 SW 14th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34473 Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc. 7008 Little River Turnpike PO Box 49 Annandale, VA 22003 Or A Charity of your choice. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Verena Josephine Holdforth please visit our Sympathy Store.