MOOSE RIVER – Jeanette D. Holden, 94, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013, at C.A. Dean Hospital, Greenville, after a short period of declining health. She maintained she was “not ill, just ‘Winding Down.’” She was Moose River’s oldest resident. Jeanette was born in 1919, in Jackman to Omer and Helen (Haggan) Duval, the second of seven children.
She was a life-time resident of the Moose River Valley, graduating from Jackman High School in 1937. In 1939 she married Lyle C. Holden of Jackman. She lived independently after being widowed in 1985.
Jeanette is survived by children, Ruel Peter Holden and wife, Constance, of Brewer, Darby Paradise of Jackman, and Deborah Theriault and husband, Russell, of Moose River. She was Grammy to Timothy and wife, Deborah Theriault, of Indiana, Kendra (Paradise) Roberts and her husband, Bruce, of California, Kyla Paradise-Macgowan of Oregon, Erika (Theriault) Hall and her husband, Stewart, of Maine, and Kade Paradise and his wife, Sarah, of Maine. She was Great-Gram to Dakin and Renee Macgowan, Holden and Hannah Theriault, Danielle Hall, and Kode Paradise. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Joyce Duval of Jackman, and Priscilla Duval of Massachusetts; many nieces and nephews; and special friend, Blanche Shelley. Jeanette was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Kathleen Dugal, Coburn Duval, Grace Thompson, Lee Duval, Hazeltine D’Arcangelo, and Richard Duval.
At a young age she was postmistress at Gerard (Spencer Lake). She and Lyle owned/operated the Strand Theater from 1953-1973. She was a tireless worker: book keeper, clothing store clerk, a Long Pond bus driver, secretary to the Superintendent of Schools, school board member, SAD No. 12. Jeanette was a charter member (1946) of VFW William B. Doughty Auxiliary No. 5735 and a member of the American Legion. Jeanette was also a charter member of the Jackman Moose River Valley Historical Society and active treasurer until just a few weeks ago. Until recently, she was active in the local Community Garden Club, volunteered for the Jackman Public Library, and the Jackman Community cupboard. She was a past member of the Eastern Star and an active supporter of the Moose River Congregational Church-UCC. In earlier years she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and always a member of the church craft group, having made several beautiful quilts from old neckties. Jeanette was a veracious reader and a dedicated Forest Hills basketball fan. She attended every home game and traveled to Augusta/ Bangor to cheer the boys on to the Class D Eastern Maine, 2013, Gold Ball.
Jeanette’s life will be celebrated at a later date with interment at Whipple Cemetery, Jackman. If one wishes, memorial gestures may be made to the Jackman Regional Health Center or to any of the organizations which Jeanette was passionate about. She was one of a kind! Arrangements are by Giberson Funeral Home of Bingham.
Jeanette Duval Holden
