Janet Ann Holsinger

Janet Ann (“Ann”) Holsinger died peacefully on January 26, 2024. She was 90 years old. Ann was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Mamie Virginia Arledge, née Spring, and Ashton H. Arledge. She was preceded in death by her two brothers and three sisters, husbands Carl Conrad Larson and Eldon Winter Holsinger, Jr., and her beloved dogs, Tripper, Bosley, and Joe.

She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Larson and Janet (“Panda”) Holsinger Parkes (Adam), granddaughter Sasha Larson, step-grandchildren Sam Mattern-Parkes and Rachel Mattern-Parkes, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Born during the Great Depression, she learned to make the best of times and circumstances. Ann loved to learn – her favorite subjects were English and History. She was a top student in her class, an editor of her school newspaper, active in school theater, and a member of her champion church basketball team.

Raising her daughters on her own, Ann returned to the DuPont company where she had started her career previously as an administrative assistant. She became receptionist for the Richmond, Virginia Spruance plant where she served as the face of the company, welcoming visitors from around the globe and operating a switchboard for the entire plant until her retirement.

Ann was known for being very stylish – as well as for her ease with people, her kindness, humor, and generous spirit. She could make friends anywhere, often leaving an impression on those she met even briefly. She enjoyed traveling with her daughters, always making vacations fun. She especially loved Bermuda, which became a favorite summer travel destination and a place for many fond memories. She wanted her daughters to have opportunities she did not, to travel and see the world, to explore arts and music, and to branch out in their own direction. Spending time with her family was always her top priority. She made every holiday and birthday extra special. Ann loved her dogs and treated her animal companions with the same care as the rest of her family. She was also known for caring deeply about humanitarian causes, equal rights, and active participation in the political process.

Ann retired to Athens, Georgia in 1998 to be closer to family, which now included her new granddaughter, whom she adored and doted on. A few years after retiring, she suffered a near-fatal car accident that profoundly affected her for the rest of her life. She faced the long-lasting physical trauma that followed, as well as her dementia in later years, with great courage and always stayed true to her character: strong, determined, and resilient. Her family will remember her above all as a loving mother and grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org /, The Carter Center: https://www.cartercenter.org/, or The Athens Area Humane Society: https://athenshumanesociety.org/

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.