Vielka Victoria Holness

Vielka Victoria Holness, age 49, died June 4, 2015 of complications related to cancer. She cared deeply about her family, friends, justice and education. She was the Director, Center for Post-Graduate Opportunities and Preparation and the Pre Law Institute of John Jay College of the City University of New York. Previously, she was Director of the Masters College, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at New York University, Director for Training at Columbia University, Dean of the Center for Career Development at Pace University Law School, and Career Counselor and Manager of Continuing Legal Education at the Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School. Vielka had clerked at the Michigan Court of Appeals and was a partner in the Philo, Atkinson law firm in Detroit. Vielka graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School. She received a B.A. from New York University, a JD from the University of Michigan Law School, an MPA from Columbia University, and an MDP in Higher Education from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Vielka was the spouse of Judy Keenan, daughter of Elba Holness and the late Eduardo Holness, sister to Anna Holness (Malcom Dixon), David Holness (Joyce Riley), and the late Christina Holness (the late Stephen Grant). She loved her many nieces and nephews. Visitation is Monday from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the George T. Davis Funeral Home, 14 LeCount Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Memorial Celebration is Tuesday at 10 am at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027. Donations may be made to the John Jay College Foundation, 524 West 59th Street, New York City, NY 10019 (note that it is for the Vielka Holness Fund) or to Support Connection (cancer support group), www.supportconnection.org.