June M. Holder

of

Our Beloved Mother and Aunt

June Holder

June Holder was born on January 17, 1956 (January 27, 1956 on official documents – long, complicated story of the manner in which births were recorded back in Barbados in those days). June was born in St. Michael, Barbados. June was the last child of the late Muriel Holder and was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Phillips aka Boy and older siblings – Betty Burrowes and Lloyd Holder.

June spent the majority of her life in Barbados as a homemaker devoted to raising her three children Ryan, Renee and Shayla; and raising her sister Betty’s two children – Rey Jr. and Lynette. June took pride in a clean, neat home and would often tell the children “you can be poor but that doesn’t mean you have to be dirty.” June often enlisted the help of each of the children to do chores around the home – cooking, cleaning, and at Christmas time would have all five children up late on Christmas Eve painting the wrought iron chairs black and gold, hanging window curtains and laying congoleum flooring. After all five children grew up and moved to the United States to further their studies, June found employment outside of the home working for a cleaning service.

In January 2006, June joined her older daughter Renee in the United States. From the moment June stepped foot in Irvington, New Jersey, June relished and immersed herself being a “hands on” and loving grandmother to her grandsons Michael Jr. and Michelin. June also became a nurturing teacher when she found employment at Hollywood Kiddie Quarters. Later, June shifted employment to 5 Stars Learning Center where she worked until she became ill in May 2021.

June loved the Lord, her children and grandchildren with all her heart. June loved sending inspirational, religious memes to her children and niece each morning to get their day started right. June would also share these inspirational memes on Facebook bright and early each morning until she got too ill to continue. June also loved a good joke and loved to make others laugh. Also worth mentioning, June loved music. In Barbados, June would often blast love songs on her stereo set on Sundays as she cleaned and cooked and blasted soca music during the week, often dancing along to the music. Over the past year, June found enjoyment watching the girls “wukking up” on Lil Rick’s Sunday School each Sunday evening on Facebook, often texting her niece as they enjoyed the show from their respective homes. Above all, June realized that life was short and should be enjoyed and she encouraged her children and those around her to do just that.

June was right - life proved to be short indeed. In the wee hours of Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the good Lord called June home. June’s departure from this earth has left a void in the heart of many; including: her children Ryan Holder, Renee Kirton and Shayla Holder; her “other” children nephew Rey Jr. and niece Lynette; her grandchildren Atiana, Michael Jr., Amiya, Aaliyah, Michelin, Jaliya, Xavier, Xander, and Junia; great grandchildren Aaliyah and Eden; great nephew Stefan, great niece Marley, God daughter Indera and a host of extended family and friends.

June Holder – mother, auntie, grandma, godmother, colleague, teacher, friend – the many wonderful and cherished memories of you will FOREVER live on!!!