Jean Seddon Holland

Jean Seddon Holland of Midwest City, OK, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 8, 2014. She was born in Farnworth, Lancashire, England, to Jesse and Edith Mary (Tyler) Seddon on August 3, 1925. Jean began her dual British/United States citizenship taking her United States oath on Friday, January 29, 1993.

Jean is survived by her brother, Reverend Geoffrey Seddon, Llandudno, Wales, and her children, Wayne Holland and wife Connie, Mary Punneo and husband Larry, Ken Holland and wife Nola, and daughter-in-law Brenda Holland. She was blessed with 21 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Judy Forrest Ching.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, her youngest son Roy, her parents Jesse and Edith Mary Seddon, her sister Margaret Crompton, and her brothers Jack Seddon and Alan Seddon.

When Jean was 14½ years old, she missed six weeks of school to care for her mother who was exceedingly ill after surgery. Jean was allowed to leave school after being so far behind and went to work in a business an hour bus ride from her home. After being the office clerk for a year, she went to work at the Farnworth Town Hall as the switchboard operator. When she turned 16, she worked at a child nursery for free so she could obtain her child care education diploma. At 18 years old she attended Manchester Royal Infirmary taking a three year nursing training to become a State Registered Nurse.

In October 1944 she met Harold Holland. During his military service, he was called “Okie” not Harold. He was sent to Germany to guard prisoners after the war with Japan ended. By late December 1945, he was shipped back to the United States. Jean graduated from the Manchester Royal Infirmary on October 4, 1946. With the promise from Okie they would return to England in two years, she sailed on the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth in February 1947 to America. She and Harold were married February 23, 1947. Although they didn’t return to England in two years as Jean hoped, Harold, Jean and family visited England many times over the years.

Jean became Mother to Wayne Lee, Mary Lorene, Kenneth Gene, and Roy Sheldon. She also cared for Judy Forrest for many years and Judy became part of our family. Judy has fond memories of folding many diapers for baby Roy. Jean and Judy remained lifetime friends.

Jean also cared for many other children when her own children were small. The neighbors in Del City enjoyed many hours with Jean helping with the young children and enjoying a cup of hot tea with evaporated milk and sugar as Jean told stories of England. The backyard at the corner of 19th and Epperly was always the focal point for the neighborhood children. Later in years their home on Chandelle was packed wall to wall for family celebrations and Grandma’s Christmas Party.

Harold and Jean began meeting with several other young families in Del City who realized the need for a Christian Church in this new Del City community. Jean became the 23rd charter member of Del City Christian Church on June 25th, 1950. The Church later honored Jean with the title of “Mother of the Year”.

Harold and Jean were lifetime friends with Bob and Betty Martin and their children Jackie, Kathy, and Billy. The families were even neighbors for a period of time and always active members of the Del City Christian Church. Many pancake suppers were shared between the two families when the children were young. Betty has remained a very dear friend to Jean. The family thanks Betty for her everlasting friendship throughout the years.

For a few years the family moved to Brownsville Texas for a new business venture for Harold. Jean did private duty nursing at the Brownsville Valley Baptist Hospital and also San Benito Dolly Vinsant Hospital. After two years in Texas she returned to Oklahoma and took the required training to become a Registered Nurse in Oklahoma.

Jean and her husband founded A&H Compressor Exchange in August 1962. Through the years this business became A&H Auto Air Conditioning and most all family members have worked there.

Jean began her nursing career at the University Hospital in Oklahoma. For a short period Jean was the Director of Nursing at the Mid-Del Manor Nursing Home. Later she became the Director of Nursing at the Oklahoma Christian Home in Edmond. She remained there for four years dedicating many long hours to the care of the elderly. In January 1975 Jean was one of 73 in the country to be named a Certified Geriatric Nurse by the American Nurses Association.

After retirement Harold and Jean enjoyed many trips overseas and traveling throughout the United States. They enjoyed their winter home in Brownsville Texas and after Harold’s death, Jean escaped to make this her home until her health forced her back to Oklahoma. Until her death she secretly plotted to return to Brownsville and also to make a final trip to visit her brother Geoffrey in England.

Jean’s faith in her God sustained her through the many trials in her life – her teenage years during World War II and the bombings of England, being apart from her British family as she struggled to raise young children, her son Wayne’s yearlong deployment to the frontlines during the Vietnam War, her son Kenneth’s serious illness as a young man after his military service, her personal struggle with breast cancer, the tragic death of her brother Alan, the illness and death of her husband Harold, and the horrible and long struggle her son Roy endured as he fought lung cancer. She passed this Christian faith to her children and grandchildren. We always knew she was praying for us and trusting God for the perfect answer.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Sterling House in Midwest City and Crossroads Hospice for their loving care and wonderful support. These caregivers became her friends. A special thank you goes to Kylie Casey who was so attentive to our Mother and Grandma the morning of her passing.

The funeral service will be held at the Bill Eisenhour Southeast Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2014 with graveside services at 2 p.m. in the Cashion Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The casket will be closed at the service.