Maxine Holley

HOLLEY, Maxine (Infanti) -Passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the age of 79. Wife of loving husband Robert (Bob) for 60 years. Greatly missed by her daughters Leslie of Utah, Lorrie of Sault Ste. Marie, Janice of Utah, Roberta of Idaho and Nancy of Thunder Bay and her son-in-laws. Cherished Grandmother of 18 and Great Grandmother of 17. Daughter of the late Max and Verna Infanti. Sister of Terry of Alberta, Rick of Windsor and the late Barry Infanti. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. 705-759-2522) on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 6 pm - 9 pm and on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 9:30 am -10:30 am. Funeral service to follow in the chapel at 11 am. Bishop Todd Vary officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions to ARCH or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Sixty Years

Sixty years have come and gone

Oh, the things that we have done.

We laughed, we cried, we danced we sang

We talked about the fun we’ve made.

We raised a family of five girls

With tiny toes and bouncy curls.

They’re women now they have grown

The things we taught them are clearly shown.

We love them so and feel so blessed

That we were given this great gift.

Our love has stood the test of time

And given us years of bliss sublime.

Some days were good and others hard

But worth the work we did impart.

Our faith it carried us through the days

And brought us joy along the way.

God let us find and love each other

To lift inspired and guide the other.

My life would not have been complete

Without you on the path with me.

So, thank you dear for your great love

A blessing true from Heaven above.

Poem By: Roberta (Holley) Riley 02/04/2018

This is what you call, the last word. I may never get another one.

I'd like to share briefly just a couple of quick thoughts in conclusion - I jotted them down and had a panic, last night when they disappeared in that organization that I'm living in.

You all remember that TV series "Charlies Angles"? (5 daughters stand) these are "Bob's angles".

I just wanted to say to all of you and to reiterate the gratitude that swells your heart, it burst at the out pouring of love, generosity and kindness beyond measure. Not the least of which we experienced while Max was in Arch.

Now, just to say, Max is gone on now from family and friends and many people that she has known. And I'm sure with faith we may again see and embrace in a new world beyond our view.

This is the important line..., she and I were sweethearts in grade school and married for 60 years, I've known her all my life, which is a good thing and you know, she was faithful and true and virtuous. She worked hard everyday with good works and prayers.

Now, she has graduated from this earth and I know it's at the top of the class. She stuck around for 60 years to help me make it through and you all know about that too. But, she got the call and she had to move on - I'd have taken a few years more if I could have got em. So, of coarse now I'm on my own and know there are many family and friends who experienced these things, this stage of life. Call it this stage, I’m not particularly happy to be at that stage...

I'm going to study hard and do my best to catch up to her some day. But for now I'll have to stay close to the phone, and wait for my call. I hope it won't be too long.

Thank you for taking a moment.

Bob, loving husband

We want to thank all of you for being here. Our hearts are filled with gratitude towards friends, family, and health providers who gave support to us well we went through this journey with Mom.

There are moments in life that I would love to just hold on to, my wedding, the birth of my children and now my mother...every word, every touch.

Mom as you know, had great faith, she served and taught us right to the end. When I think of Mom a beautiful story that we learned as children comes to mind, a scripture about 2000 young men who learned obedience and faith in their Heavenly Father from their mothers. So, when they were needed in battle they did not hesitate. That is true with us, in life, we have been able to do the hard and right things because we too learned at our mother's knee. “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:47-48)

Mom knew that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. One of the wonderful things about this earthly existence is as a child we felt loved, as we became mothers we give that love. It's through this experience that we get just a glimpse of the love Heavenly Father must have for us his children.

Before we left the house in the morning we would have morning prayer. Mom would often include in her prayer “Please be with them when I can not” Her prayer continues, she can't be with us now but I know that Heavenly Father is. - the joke kind-a was that we know to pray but calling mom was faster, and we sure knew mom's prayers reached heaven.

I will end with a really sweet experience we had with mom the last week she was with us. I think it will give you a pretty clear understanding of who mom was and how she was right to the end. My sisters were sitting and asking mom about her emotions because mom didn't cry she just endured. She said “it's like this, remember you girls, when you were little and I would send you out to play and then I would call you home?” And you would say “Aweee mom, just a little longer?” mommy said she decided when it was her time she would say “I'm on my way”!

How wonderful it is to honour her today...

Nancy Pohjoisrinne (#5 daughter)

Mom’s Funeral Talk February 2018

Passed away February 18th 2018 my true hero is gone.

It is an honor and privilege to share our mom’s life story. Mom was born on a hot summer day on August 15th 1938 to Angelo Infant and Verna (Evoy) Infanti. Grandma wanted to name mom Angela after Grandpa’s name but Grandpa did not like his name so his nickname was Max thus Mom was called Maxine after her dad’s nickname.

Mom was the oldest and only girl which had its ups and downs. Being the oldest and a girl she had a lot of responsibilities some expected of her and some she took upon herself. Much to her brothers dislike one of those responsibilities was babysitting the boys. Mom shared a story of one of the times she was babysitting and I can picture it all. They lived were there was a field that pastured cows next to their home and the surrounding area. So the cows did not get into the yard and garden her father installed an electric fence. Mom told of how her brothers took off through the field and you could barely see their blond heads among the yellow grass. She was afraid they’d get chased by the cows, try to ride them or try smoking and catch the field of dry grass on fire. She called and called but they chose to ignore her. Because of her concern for their safety Mom decided she had to go after them so she ducked under the electric fence and got her sweater catch and nearly electrocuted herself trying to free herself until she finally realized she could take her sweater off and make it easier to chase after the boys and rescue them from possible disaster. She did not say what happened when she caught up with them.

Mom loved her brothers and felt they are each very special and unique. Mom was very proud of the wonderful men they are. Some of the things she wrote in her history about them was that Terry is a peace maker and always has been. He is gentleman and very spiritual. Rick who is younger than Terry is social and very thoughtful and an all around great brother. Even thought her brothers moved away they remained close, talked often on the phone and continued to share in each other’s lives.

When mom was young her family lived in the country in an old farm house while Grandpa Infanti built their home across the street. It was very exciting when they finally moved into their new home although it was not finished they went upstairs by a ladder. Which I’m sure mom said gave Grandma heart failure.

Living in the county mom’s family worked together to take care of the chickens, pigs, garden, outside and inside chores. The garden needing weeding and harvesting, coal needed to be shoveled into the bin, wood needed to be piled, the drive shoveled and walks cleared along with other chores. The inside chores involved setting the table, dishes, scrubbing floors, carrying water, laundry, meals and all the other things that keep a household going. The chores mom enjoyed were cooking, dusting and dust mopping. Her least favorite was doing the laundry with the wringer washer and placing the clothes on the line in the winter when the clothes and her fingers would freeze.

The lesson mom said she learned from working as a family is it takes everyone doing their part to make a happy well run home. Mom passed the lessons she learned as child on to us and taught us the importance of working together and it does take all of us.

Mom enjoyed playing dress up dolls, baseball, hide and seek and going skating. On her 14th birthday her parents threw her a party. They were going to have wiener roast outside but it rained so it was got moved inside. Her dad cooked and they had a dance on the hardwood floors. Mom said dad came to the party and gave her a beautiful photo album that mom still has today.

Mom remembers they got TV when she was 16. She enjoyed watching Disney, Danny Kay, I Love Lucy and old musicals. Her teen years were fun and she would have a job from time to time. When she was 13 she worked at Biagini’s Photo Studio which was her father’s sister’s studio.

Mom loved to be in all of their Christmas concerts and was good at memory work, poems, and parts in plays. Each year mom entered the Kiwanis Festival in her age group for recitation. She scored high marks many times.

Mom enjoyed reading she felt it educate you, transport you to other times and places. She liked that books could make you laugh, cry and awaken your knowledge and engage your mind. When we were little and in elementary school mom would read to us while we were eating breakfast.

Mom and Dad’s is a true love story that has lasted a life time. They met in elementary school and were good friends. As they got older they traveled in the same group of kids. They dated now and then and eventually dad started asking mom out more and more. One spring day after they had they had been dating for about a year dad asked mom to go for a ride in the early evening. They went down to the park; the boats were starting to come up the river. Dad asked mom to marry him and gave her an engagement ring. They planned to be married that fall but plans changed. Dad was working at Algoma Steel and there was a big layoff and he found himself out of work. Dad applied and got a job on the Algoma Central Railway and they hired him to work in Hawk Junction which was about a 3 hour train ride by rail. You could not get there by road. Dad went there to work and a year to the day after they were engaged on March 26, 1958 they were married in the Central United Church in a candle light service with a dance and buffet following at a place called the Flamingo room.

Two days after they were married dad and mom were on a train going to Hawk Junction were dad had rented a house in a place Finn Town. They had inside plumbing, hot and cold water which mom said was a plus.

Eventually dad went back to work at Algoma Steel in the transportation department with the experience he had from working at the Algoma Central Rail.

Mom and dad had five girls Leslie and Lorrie who are the twins, Janice, Roberta and Nancy. They have 18 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren so far. Mom said when she was growing up she was sure she had many fantasies but really in the end she wanted to be just what she was a wife and mother.

Mom kept a beautiful home, was an amazing cook and a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Mom loved being a mother and wanted our home to be a peaceful happy refuge and that has never changed.

Mom has left us a legacy to be proud of, she loved the simple things in life and felt the words by Joey and Rory titled “That’s Important to Me” summed up her feelings they go like this:

Not planning my day around the TV

Paying our bills and staying out of debt

Opening the windows and letting in air

Holding hands when we are saying our prayers

Having someone to share my life

Loving my husband and being a wife

Being the best mother I can

Telling the truth and being real

Feeding my family home cooked meals

Always having you to hold

Being beside you when you grow old

Believing in dreams

Mom did all of those things spoken in the song along with many other things that we will remember and cherish as we think of her. Mom would make sure all arrangements were made for our trips across country to the beach or camp making things run smoothly so we could enjoy our time together. Even though mom did not love the water she would wade with the grandchildren or float in the raft. The grandchildren’s memories and experiences with grandma will last a lifetime. They will know they were loved and cherished and important to her because she was there and participating in the things that were fun for them. She will want us to remember these moments with joy and choose to build upon the traditions she created for us that provided us a feeling of belonging and purpose. Christmas Eve pizza was one of the traditions from home that has been passed on to our families as we left home and had to make things special in our own homes.

It was such a gift and blessing to be able to gather as a family for the last few weeks of mom’s life. I watched as each of us has knelled at our mother’s knee seeking treasured moments and final words that will carry us. Our mother was strong and served us with strength and dignity to the end. Time is measured in moments each day. Mom used her moments to provide the best home filled with love, faith and a sense of purpose which encouraged us to be the best we could be.

Miles and distance has never changed the love, bond or connection we have for each other. Picking up the phone to call home will be one of the things we will miss the most. Dad will be the lucky one who will field those calls now. Don’t worry dad I will make sure to show you where the cook books are so you can get the details of the recipes we want.

A mother’s love is one of the purest gifts and imprints its self on your heat. It is the thing that carries you through difficult days, makes you believe in yourself, helps you grow and feel special. There is nothing like it. As we reflect on what it means to be loved by such an amazing mother you remember the things she taught and the things she left behind. Mom was a strong, kind person who served her family and others. She was a source of comfort and a true nurturer.

The gift for the rest of our lives will be the memories made. They are the things we have to keep and hold onto has we remember our mom. She was our anchor, our everything. She left us a legacy that we need to honor and be proud of. Mom will be in our hearts and souls forever. Her soft words of comfort and peace will remain with us. Her words of encouragement, her source of faith, her gentle, patient ways will remind us who we need to be. We will remember the lady she was and the women of faith that set an example for us to follow and emulate.

We will miss her thoughtful, caring, loving ways and how she was always interested in our lives and the lives of our children. We will look forward to the day we will be reunited.

As we think of our mother, we will think of the things she taught as we hear her words in our head and think about the moments of impact in our lives and how those moments define us and who we are and how we think and feel.

Nancy shared this quote by an unknown author with me. “Death leaves a heartache now one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

We are grateful for a mother; wife; daughter, grandmother; sister and friend who helped navigate unchartered waters and left us with a lifetime of memories to draw on as a source of comfort and peace while we travel through this next chapter of uncharted waters without her.

We love you mom.

Arthur Condie (son-in-law)

(spoke after Scott sang)

Well that was absolutely beautiful, but I was hoping for about 30 more verses

you know months ago when mom asked me if (I’m gonna warn you I’m gonna be a mess) when she asked me if I would speak she says I can't have Jan speak cause she just wont/can't do it, but Jan and I have always done everything together so we kind of talked about it and I’m gonna do her part that’s gonna be the mess part and what ever else we might have part.

but she did say I don't wont it to be a long funeral. I’m gone help her with that

When someone passes away that is close to us there are two roads that we have the choice of taking. One has the gate marked despair it swings wide open easily, the other gate is marked peace and that one we have to struggle to open a little. The first road if taken leads to bitterness and despondency, the other one the harder one leads to peace, character and happiness. I think if we chose the wrong road mom would be very disappointed in us. Because she was always, she was amazing

A poem I would like to share with you, written by Linda Elise. (You know when you travel, there’s a lot of things you don’t bring, and my wife says pack light because we didn't want to check a bag at the airport. So, I packed really light and so you’re not use to having all the things your use to having but classes would have been nice. I think there’s a hole in my suitcase)

The Dash- by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between the years.

For the dash represents all the time.

That they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend the dash.

So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,

With your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent YOUR dash?

Now I'd like to share a couple of items from mom's dash. I'm kind of a new comer, I've only known her for 30...yrs.? I remember when I first met her I walked into church and here stood a beautiful amazing young lady. As you go through life you meet people who you know are true ladies. That was my first impression of her and over the years she's proved that. She filled her life of serves for her girls, her husband, for those of us lucky enough to become sons-in-law. I remember the holidays, one thing about mom’s house, was when you went into the house it had the smells. Everything smelled awesome. Jan had the opportunity to come up a few weeks ago to be with her mom and she called to report how everything was going and I stayed at home but the other day when I got here - I just expected mom to come around the corner and give you a big hug. She was in every part of that house. I got to get off that ok....

Grandma and Grandpa whenever they'd come to see us they always had a project. Mom was full of service. Sometimes I didn’t know what project would be, but it was always a wonderful project. I remember going to work one time and when I came back the whole house was being repainted. They always knew, I don't know if they communicated a head of time with Jan or what but they were always doing something. I remember one time it was kind-a funny, now its really funny. I had tore my back up, still going to work, blew some disks in my back ...anyway. Mom met me at the back door and said grandpa's putting up a fan and can’t get into the attic and I was ok....so he and I had the delightful task It's still there, and then trying to figure out how to get me out of the attic. of putting the fan up in the living room. but they were full of service, all kinds. I got to share with you mom had a few chinks in her amour, that I found over the years. when Jan and I were getting ready to be married she, -and I loved her for this, she sat me down and said I want to share a few things about my daughter with you. And the things she shared with me were very dear, but when she was done sharing the important things with me she said I also want you to know she will bait her own hook, and I thought you know that’s pretty cool. Pretty amazing young lady she'll bait her own hooks, but the chink in the amour is what she didn’t tell me is how to get in the boat. But if you can get her in the boat she'll bait her own hooks

Mom and Dad had a habit of gathering up all the grandkids in the summer, they're all scattered. Mom would say now we'll be back in a few weeks. And July would come and go and August would get close and I'd think, do they have a different calendar in Canada? That is something that is so dear to our kids because they remember those days on the bus or the van or what ever and they traveled all over the country. Its still very special to them.

William Wordsworth had this to say, “Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The soul that rises with us, our life's star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, and cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness, but trailing clouds of glory do we come from God our home”

That was one of the things mom really believed and she had those beliefs and lived them and that is so unique these days she helped us to understand what was really important in life and that Heavenly Father did some amazing things for us, and the savour made it possible for us to come her live our lives and return to Heavenly Father and she always taught that and shared that with us. One of the great comforts is, we're not sad for her because she is in such a wonderful place, we're sad for us because we're not going to have association with a wonderful person. She taught us so many things, lots of times not so much in words but in the way, she lived and we will be eternally grateful for that as well.

There's a Story called: The Bridge Builder, one that I have loved for many years.

An old man going a lone highway,

came at the evening, cold and gray,

to a chasm, vast, and deep and wide,

through which was flowing a sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim;

The sullen stream had no fear for him;

But he turned, when safe on the other side,

and built a bridge to span the tide

.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim, near,

“you are wasting strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day;

you never again will pass this way;

You've crossed the chasm, deep and wide

why build you this bridge at the evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head:

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followed after me today,

A youth, whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm, that has been naught to me,

to that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

And that describes my wonderful in-laws. Mom and Dad are the old foot bridge builders, they very quietly go about building their bridges. They build it for their girls, build them for grandkids, for friends, for family, for everybody. Now that mom is graduated this life, if you think of how they build bridge structures...great bridges’. The company that I've had the privilege of working for a lot of years are bridge builders, the great structures start from both sides they don't start on one side and build to the other side they start on both sides and work to the middle. Now that mom has graduated this life that’s kind of the way I see it. we have grandpa here working on this side and we have grandma working on the other side and eventually we're going to meet in the middle and we'll be back together

though their separation, there is an eternal bond there. I want you to know that I know we will see mom again. You always wonder why some things happen to people, why in the world does mom have to go through this?

And I didn't come up with the exact answer but part of the answer is because it taught us so much.

Again, she was still teaching us. I am grateful, I will be forever grateful for her and I share that with you in the name of him who made it possible Jesus Christ amen

Talk by Terry Infanti

In my mind she was the epitome of selfless service. She had a rare talent, a gift for doing just the right thing at the right time and just the right amount. I doubt if she even second guessed herself. She just went ahead and did it.

When I think of her - do it, get it done, take charge nature. I’m reminded of the bible story of Mary and Martha, sisters to Lazarus (whom the Saviour had raised from the dead). They were his dear friends and he visited them often.

You’ll remember when Jesus came for a visit at their request, Martha ran out to meet Him and said that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Later Mary said the same. Let’s read Christ’s answer in John 11:23-27.

Maxine was as certain of the resurrection and eternal life after death as was Mary and Martha.

The modern version of that story may go something like this -

Mary is sitting at the feet of the Saviour perhaps listening to how He had just taught the Parable of the Good Samaritan to a group of followers. Martha busying herself in the kitchen and Maxine trying to listen to the Saviour and “choose the better part”. Luke 10:42 at the same time reminding Martha to put the lasagna in the oven as soon as the pulla comes out. She was a get involved take charge kind of girl.

When Maxine asked me to speak many months ago, I agreed. It seemed a far distance future thing. Months later I asked what she would like me to speak on. She said Ephesians 6:10-18

I was taken back by the subject - Paul writing to the Ephesians from Rome about their putting on the whole armour of God, to protect themselves from the wiles of Satan. How was I to make that into a funeral talk?

Some time later as we talked about various things, mostly about her girls and grandchildren and like the salad recipe her sister in law Carol had given her and the one our cousin Nelda had shared, and how she had to call Judy in Windsor to get a recipe she wanted to try. I couldn’t help but feel that she was just plain hungry as she hadn't been eating for some time. Food must have seemed like a long-lost friend. To change the subject and in as serious a tone as I could, I asked “so Max, what do you think about in your quiet solitude?” Then it was like a ticker tape gone out of control - I grabbed a pen and wrote all I could. How I wished I knew shorthand.

She came at that scripture in Ephesians from quite a different angle than I had anticipated.

She said and I quote,

“The helmet is to cover our heads where our thoughts are formed, to protect our thoughts and I think of how thoughtful people have been. How each kind act had to be planned and thought through, preparations had to be made even for phone calls. Notes sent; time taken out of their lives: conversations were carefully planned knowing I wasn’t well: words carefully chosen to express love and encouragement: cards thoughtfully chosen and sent. I think of meals planned, prepared and sent in and how it would all be thought through.

To me the breast plate represents the protection of the heart: the center of feelings and emotions. The tender care I received from the medical staff: the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father who would cause the wheels to be put in motion so my girls could be with me and each other to build memories. I realize how much God is in control of our destiny. We are on His timetable, but He is a loving parent and knows how to be perfectly kind to His children.

I also know that there are those who have kept track of me through others, those who would have called or come to visit if possible and who would have remembering me in their quiet secret prayers.

The feet are shod with the preparation of love and direction. I appreciate those loved ones and friends who have come from distances, some bearing gifts of various kinds: some to shed tears, some to share memories and to uplift. Some came with medication and tender care to ease my discomfort and those who would have come if that was possible. It seems to me they have all come with love and tender feelings.

I don’t feel sad. I have enjoyed my family and friends; a warm home, good meals, clean beds and things we so often take for granted.

Now He is telling me it’s time to come home. But like all children when called by an earthly parent come home, I would like to say ‘Can’t I stay a little longer?’

I’m hoping He’ll give me an A+ for the life I’ve lived...but I’ll take what He gives me”

Maxine, if we, who are left behind can give you an A+, surely a loving Heavenly Father who sees you with perfect vision, will give you that and more.

Grandchildren's Letters to Grandma

My heart is so saddened she is the light and rock of our family. She and grandpa gave me personally some great memories that we still laugh at and cherish. I still say to this day that when we were all together for Xmas one year, I heard Santa and his reindeer on their roof lol.

Love, Holley

Grandma, you make the best pasta. Grandma, I know you do not worry when I helped grandpa split wood. Grandma, I know you really like it when I give you a hug.

Love, Brad

Grandma, you make the best pancakes. Grandma, you make me feel special ... Birthday. Grandma, I know you really like it when I bring you frosty's.

Love, Bryan

Grandma,

What can I say? Can I say or write everything that is in my heart? I'm not sure I have the Words to express the amount of gratitude and love I feel towards you. How grateful I am to have you in my life, for being an example of a woman and a mother that I look up to. I sorta think your example is the most precious gift you have given me. Though there are many others I am thankful for like:

• That you made sure our families get together at least twice a year.

• Every year you and grandpa sing Happy Birthday to me over the phone. Now the kids and I sing for others like a tradition.

• Our lunch dates.

• Every home cooked meal, and that you never forgot dessert! You are the best cook! Ever-

• For teaching me how to knit.

• For mending my favourite sweater.

• The scrapbooks you made for me.

• Our famous trips out west.

• Including me in your prayers – I’m sure many.

• Expressing to me how you have learned and grown as a person on your journey.

• For being a safe place to land when I needed comfort.

• For showing me what compassion looks like when caring for others.

• For reminding me that it is important to try new things, no matter how old you are.

• That I could count on you when I needed something.

• I know I am loved.

There are so many more things that I won’t be able to say, but hope that you can at least feel them. I will always remember you laugh, your smile, and to me you were always cheery and full of the brightest light.

I love you grandma, I know that you have earned an A+

Love, Heather

Great Grandma

Great Grandma is special to me because she is very loving and always makes me feel welcome. I will always remember her yummy bunny cakes that she made for Easter. I am so lucky and very, very grateful that she is my Great Grandma.

Love, Avery

Great Grandma Holley

Great Grandma makes the best turkey & oil and vinegar. Thank you Great Grandma for my CTR ring and books. I remember when Great Grandma helped me do an animal puzzle. I loved it when all of our cousins came to Great Grandma. I love you Great Grandma

Love, Owen

I don’t know if there will ever be enough or the right words to describe how I feel about Grandma and Grandpa Holley. My heart aches knowing that we may have already had our last hug, heard my last birthday song on the phone, our last visit where they will both be there. They are both such a key essence of who I am. I am so proud to be their granddaughter. I have so many fond memories that I couldn't even begin to list them all out. Some of my favorites are-

Riding in the school bus across the states, I even helped grandpa make the middle benches across the isle so we all had a spot. Eating sandy genettis at the beach, catching frogs at camp and playing in the creek, grandma taking us shopping at the VV Boutique. I couldn’t even count how many times we got told to go outside and find something to do haha I remember that we weren’t supposed to be upstairs and if we did venture onto the carpet, we would retrace our steps and wipe the foot prints away so she wouldn’t know. She has always carried her purse on her forearm when we went anywhere, and now when I find myself doing it I always think of her. Grandma is one of the only people to call me Elizabeth my whole life. She very rarely calls me just Liz. It makes me smile to hear grandmas different expressions like zapping the potatoes in the microwave, or how she pronounces pasta. We didn’t ever have Life cereal much growing up at home but Grandma always had it when we came, with home made jam for toast. It’s one of my very favorite cereals just for the fact it reminds me of them. I could spend hours just sitting in Grandmas storage room downstairs. That room has a very specific smell and sometimes after it rains here it reminds me of their house. We got to help grandma get rhubarb from the garden when we came during its season, blue berry picking so she could make homemade pie for Sunday dinner, and waste not want not is a phrase I will forever connect to them. At Christmas as kids we got pajama shorts from grandma. That was something Ang and I looked forward to every year! My favorite pair had little yellow bunnies all over them and they were super soft. I remember being fascinated with how fast grandma could put her hair in rollers before bed. We usually had a salon session in the basement with the girls, the smaller Kids took baths in grandmas wash sink (mostly because she didn’t want the water running forever haha), and we loved the root beer candies she kept in the spare room down stairs. I know there are so many more memories I hold dear and I know how very fortunate I am to have been able to share these things with my own children. I know that even though the circumstances will change, my memories will always be such a precious gift. Grandma is an incredible example of strength, faithfulness, and unconditional love. I just can’t quite express fully how much I love her. I am so grateful for our time together.

Love, Liz

I thought it would be easier to put my thoughts down on paper, but no part of this will ever be easy. It is truly hard for me to express the love I have for Grandpa and Grandma Holley. Their love and support throughout my life has been a priceless gift that I will cherish forever. They are amazing examples of strength, unconditional love, and faith. As I look back on my life, they have played a pivotal role in who I am today and who I strive to be. Some of my fondest memories are of the times we spent in Canada with Grandma and Grandpa. It has distilled in me a deep love for Grandma and Grandpa and for Canada. Here are some of my favorite memories:

Traveling to Canada, whether by school bus or in Grandma and Grandpa’s minivan, was always an adventure. I love that even up until our latest trip, Grandma would always pack egg salad and ham sandwiches. There was never a need to stop for food because Grandma was always prepared! Beach days are still one of my favorite things to do when we visit. I remember eating the sandy gennettes and going out in the water with Grandma in the blow up raft. Grandma always had toys and activities to keep us occupied during our stays, which consisted of mostly outside activities (just like my mom and her grandkids) I see so much of Grandma in my mother, and I’m so grateful for that. Liz and I would send hours playing out on the deck with the dolls that had adjustable hair. I remember picking rhubarb and green beans out of the garden and chopping them up out of the deck with Grandma. Grandma is such an exceptional cook. She could win awards for her blueberry pies, and I loved that she would always make one and have it ready for when we got there. Breakfasts were a no nonsense activity with Grandma. You either got up for breakfast when Grandma called, or you missed it. I loved waking up to the smell of toast in the morning. Grandma is responsible for my love of Life cereal and cream of wheat with toast. I remember the year Liz and I stayed in the back bedroom upstairs and I still don’t know how Grandma slept with Grandpa’s snoring all these years, but if there’s a testament of true love that’s it. I remember Christmas in July, shopping for hours in the VV boutique, and taking baths in the utility sinks. As I got older Grandma just did not understand why I had to shower EVERY day. I can now say that I’ve worked hard to get to an every-other-day shower schedule, just for Grandma! Grandma and Grandpa have always been consistent. I loved getting Christmas pajamas and socks every year. There was never a birthday where they wouldn’t call to sing to each one of us, which is a tradition I hope to continue with my family.

As I’ve gotten older, some of my most recent favorite memories is sitting up with Grandma and Grandpa at the kitchen table and just talking. Grandma would show me her scrapbooks and tell me all the stories relating to the pictures. I loved seeing her creativity and all the work she had put into them. On our last trip to Canada I went to Goodwill with Grandma and found all of this fun pink depression glass. I was fascinated with it and she bought the place settings for me. Ever since she has kept an eye out for any matching pieces and has sent them to me when she finds them. They are pieces that I will always treasure. When mom and I go out to the antique shops and see different pieces, I think of Grandma. One thing that I will always remember about Grandma is the way she carries herself and the way she dresses. She has such a brisk walk and would always hold her purse on her forearm. Grandma is an amazing example of grace and class. She always looks so lovely on Sundays when we would go to church, even when she was yelling down to me saying that I was going to make everyone late because she couldn’t set the alarm until I was out the door.

One thing that I’ve grown to cherish is the strength of Grandma and Grandpa’s marriage and love they have for one another. I love hearing them call each other Bob and Max and the way they interact. I’ve never doubted their love for each other or for me. There is something special to be said about a love that can be felt even when you are thousands of miles apart, and my only hope it that Grandma has been able to feel my love in return. I know that because of the choice that Grandma and Grandpa made to join the church when they were so young, has built a firm foundation for generations and that because of the knowledge of the gospel we know that this is not goodbye. Grandma’s strength and resilience will carry on in us as we await the day where we will see each other again. I love you so much Grandma, more than you will ever know. Thank you for your love, support, and amazing example.

Your Granddaughter,

Angela

One thing that sticks out to me when I think of Grandma is how dadgum spunky she is! She could feed an army and with our family that was always the case. There is no better blue berry pie in all this world as good as Grandmas! She loved more fully and more selflessly then anyone! However don’t you dare think you could get away with anything she may be little, but..... Her love of the gospel and the savior is one of a true disciple of Jesus Christ and I can only imagine the joy and excitement of our Heavenly Father, Savior and family at her long awaited arrival home.

Jacob

Grant - The things I remember about Grandma are all the amazing meals she would cook. Grandma was always taking care of us. We would have bologna sandwiches in the backyard when the picnic table was clear full of the grand kids. Grandma always made me hot apple cider because I loved it so much. We did not get to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Canada every year but when we did it was fun and the memories have lasted a lifetime. Singing with Grandpa and Grandma when Grandpa would play his guitar at the kitchen table is a special memory. Grandma has a strong faith and shared it with me. Grandma always remembered my birthday and would send a card and call to sign me Happy Birthday. Distance did not change the love I feel from Grandma. I had really wanted a street bike while I was in High School but my mom did not want me to have one. When I graduated from High School mom finally said yes. I recently found out that Grandma encourage my mom to let me have one.

Thanks Grandma! Love, Grant

Derek - The last time I saw my Grandma in person was when I was 4 years old. Even though I did not see her often I know she loves me. One of my favorite things grandma would do for me was send me Kinder Eggs at Christmas and on my Birthdays. It made me feel special. Grandma and Grandpa would call me and sing me Happy Birthday.

Love, Derek

Things about Grandma: I don't have one favorite memory because they are all my favorite haha!

I just love that she was always planning and wanting all of us to enjoy our time together as a family!

I also love when she would bust a random joke then we would die of laughter!!

Also Christmas! Need I say anymore it was always magical with a thousand tie plates and fruit cake and

lots of love!!

Kyla

Dear Grandma,

How lucky am I to have a grandmother like you who has been an amazing example in my life. Thank you. These past few months have been bitter sweet ( mostly sweet) but they will be memories that I will always cherish. The memories I remember and love the most are the times when I couldn’t help but laugh along with grandma because her smile and laughter are so contagious. I love being greeted by her big hugs and kisses after long car rides to the Sault for family visits. The memories that I love the most have been when I’d sit on the floor while she rested on the couch and listened to her share stories from her life. Hearing your testimony has strengthened mine and has brought me so much peace, comfort and joy. I love you grandma and I know that it will be but a short moment till we meet again.

Love, Teija

Most of my memories of grandma were when I was little but, some of the memories I do remember are the times when we would go strawberry picking. I remember her telling me that I was the best little strawberry picker she had ever seen. Grandma would make me strawberry shortcake because it was my favorite and I would lick the whip cream off the beaters. In our family, when us girls turned eight, grandma would get us towels with our names on them for our baptisms. I couldn't wait to get mine. I can remember when our whole family would come together for Christmas or Thanksgiving and grandma would make the best mashed potatoes and gravy. I also loved the happy birthday Jesus cake. Lastly almost every year for my birthday grandma would get me animal figurines because she knew how much I loved animals.

Grandma I love you. Thank you for all you have done for me.

Love,

Mya

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HOLLEY, Maxine (Infanti) -Passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the age of 79. Wife of loving husband Robert (Bob) for 60 years. Greatly missed by her daughters Leslie of Utah, Lorrie of Sault Ste. Marie, Janice of Utah, Roberta of Idaho and Nancy of Thunder Bay and her son-in-laws. Cherished Grandmother of 18 and Great Grandmother of 17. Daughter of the late Max and Verna Infanti. Sister of Terry of Alberta, Rick of Windsor and the late Barry Infanti. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family and friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. 705-759-2522) on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 6 pm - 9 pm and on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 9:30 am -10:30 am. Funeral service to follow in the chapel at 11 am. Bishop Todd Vary officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions to ARCH or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.