Obituary for Mary Rita Holden
Mary “Rita” (Garner) White Holden, 80, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on April 30, 2023 in Winter Garden, FL. She was born on June 17, 1942 in Baltimore, MD. She was the loving daughter of the late Elizabeth Imogene Brick Garner and John Washington Garner. Rita was the loving wife of the late Theodore William White, Jr. whom she married on June 27, 1964, in Leonardtown, MD and who preceded her in death on February 22, 1989, as well as her second husband the late Louis Holden whom she married in November, 2010 in Leonardtown, MD and who preceded her in death on March 17, 2022. In addition to her husbands, Rita is preceded in death by her son Jason Andrew White who passed away on 02/19/2000.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Garner (White) Cave (Robert Bruce Cave, II) of Parkton, MD, Mary Carolyn White Burrows (Daniel Reith Burrows) of Gotha, FL, Melissa Ann White Rivera of Orlando, FL, Theodore David White of Spring Hill, FL, and eight grandchildren. Along with her siblings Elizabeth Garner Harty Park of Pittsburg, PA, Agnes Ruth Garner Gilroy of Redwood City, CA, John Rebel Garner of Drayden, MD.
She was lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident. Rita graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1960. Rita attended Mercy Hospital of Nursing in Portsmouth, OH from 1960 to 1962 and later graduated from University of Maryland in 1996 with a B.S. in Management Studies. She was a civil servant at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station for 18 years, retiring in February 2002.
Rita was the Toastmasters International president of Patuxent River Club, DAA Life Program Instructor and advisory board member. Rita earned NESEA’s Woman of the year in 1991. As well as a member of Our Lady’s Catholic Church Choir and St. Aloysius Catholic Church Choir and Senior Vibes Sing, Rita founded several bridge clubs, including Garvey bridge club, and was the Co-founder of C.A.B.S. -Companions and Buddies for Seniors and was a volunteer for Hospice of St. Mary’s.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM in Our Lady’s at Medley’s Neck Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Tarleton Garner, Robert Bruce Cave, II, Daniel Reith Burrows, Nicholas Theodore Burrows, William H. Barnes and David Cudd.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad P.O. Box 299 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Garner (White) Cave (Robert Bruce Cave, II) of Parkton, MD, Mary Carolyn White Burrows (Daniel Reith Burrows) of Gotha, FL, Melissa Ann White Rivera of Orlando, FL, Theodore David White of Spring Hill, FL, and eight grandchildren. Along with her siblings Elizabeth Garner Harty Park of Pittsburg, PA, Agnes Ruth Garner Gilroy of Redwood City, CA, John Rebel Garner of Drayden, MD.
She was lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident. Rita graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1960. Rita attended Mercy Hospital of Nursing in Portsmouth, OH from 1960 to 1962 and later graduated from University of Maryland in 1996 with a B.S. in Management Studies. She was a civil servant at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station for 18 years, retiring in February 2002.
Rita was the Toastmasters International president of Patuxent River Club, DAA Life Program Instructor and advisory board member. Rita earned NESEA’s Woman of the year in 1991. As well as a member of Our Lady’s Catholic Church Choir and St. Aloysius Catholic Church Choir and Senior Vibes Sing, Rita founded several bridge clubs, including Garvey bridge club, and was the Co-founder of C.A.B.S. -Companions and Buddies for Seniors and was a volunteer for Hospice of St. Mary’s.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM in Our Lady’s at Medley’s Neck Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Tarleton Garner, Robert Bruce Cave, II, Daniel Reith Burrows, Nicholas Theodore Burrows, William H. Barnes and David Cudd.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad P.O. Box 299 Leonardtown, MD 20650.