Margaret Jeanne Holmquist

1932 - 2022

Jeanne S. Holmquist, 90, of Pebble Beach, CA passed into the loving arms of her Lord

on March 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Colton and Margaret

Smith and brother, Ross Smith. She is survived by her nieces, Shawnie (Brian)

Motschenbacher and Shereen (Tom) Mills, and sister-in-law, Willa Smith of Lincoln, NE

along with grand-nieces and grand-nephews, TJ, Tyler, Jessica, Sammi and Colton. She

leaves behind many friends and her beloved dog Jordan (now adopted by a family

friend). Jeanne was born in Lincoln, NE, graduating from the University of Nebraska

and receiving a Masters in Education at the University of California, Berkeley. Her early

teaching career included positions in Sierra Leone, West Africa as well as Berkeley and

Hayward, CA where she prevailed upon legendary opera singer Marian Anderson to

visit her students. The two became lifelong friends. Jeanne was the principal of Robert

Down Elementary School in Pacific Grove for 18 years where she developed a great

rapport with the students. Jeanne was an active member of her community, generously

supporting and volunteering for numerous organizations including the SPCA Monterey

County, Community Partnership for Youth, Big Sur Land Trust, CHOMP, Central Coast

Lighthouse Keepers and Pacific Grove Library. She loved children, sunshine, animals

(wild & domestic), art and music. Jeanne and her enormous personality will be missed

by volunteer colleagues, friends and family. A final word from Jeanne to you: "Please

give generously from your heart, do everything you do to the fullest extent, and be

passionate in what you do. Sing, sing, sing!!" A memorial service will be held at the

First Presbytarian Church of Monterey at 2 pm on April 23, 2022. Please note that due

to COVID, masks are required in the sanctuary. In her honor, attendees are requested

to wear something red (her favorite color), or other colorful clothing. The service will

also be live-streamed and archived on FPC's YouTube Channel for those unable to

attend in person. The link to the service can be found at fpcmonterey.org . Jeanne

requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the SPCA Monterey

County, First Presbytarian Church of Monterey, CA or PEO Chapter HT. To sign

Jeanne's guestbook and leave messages for the family please visit

www.ThePaulMortuary.corn.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep: I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand

winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I

am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift

uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do

not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die."