Edna Claire Holmes, 96

Edna Claire Holmes, 96, daughter and only child of John and Bertha (McComb) Duncan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away in her sleep peacefully early Sunday morning, May 12, 2024, Mother's Day, on Touchmark Senior Living in Helena, Montana.

She was born July 1, 1927, in Big Timber, MT. As a child, Edna attended Montana schools in Big Timber, Livingston, Gardiner, and Thermopolis, WY. In 1944, she and her mom moved to Whitehall. Edna graduated valedictorian from Whitehall High School in 1945.

She retired in October 1985 after working for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 31 years in various USDA agencies in Whitehall, beginning March 1946 as an administrative assistant.

She married Roger P. Holmes at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Whitehall on July 1, 1950. They celebrated 68 years together on July 1, 2018, before his passing on February 23, 2019, at the age of 100.

Edna and Roger sold the family home in Whitehall in October 1992, packed up their belongings, and moved to Phoenix, AZ, to get out of the Montana winters. They always returned to Idaho and Montana in the late spring/early summer to avoid Arizona summers. In October 2011, after Roger's macular degeneration prevented him from continuing to drive in Phoenix, they again packed up their belongings. They moved to Hunters Pointe Helena, where they lived until his passing. Edna continued to live there with Valinda, who kept a close eye on her, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She moved to Touchmark in February 2022 and remained there through her final days.

Edna endured summer vacations on Flathead and Echo Lakes with her family. Swimming, water skiing, boating, and fishing were not her cup of tea, but spending time with the family was. In the winter, there was snowmobiling. She traveled with Roger to Australia in 1986 for several months, but Mom preferred to travel in the USA, which they did occasionally.

Her hobbies included reading, crafts, and sewing. She also liked rural life, nature, and animals (her favorites: wolves and mountain lions). She would whip up the best batch of divinity. We will miss that!

On May 27, 1952, Edna was initiated into Acacia Chapter #21, Order of the Eastern Star, and served in several offices. She received her 50-year pin after affiliating with Miriam Chapter #1, OES, in Helena in April 2004.

Edna is survived by her daughters Valinda Holmes of East Helena, MT, and Sue (Holmes) Kirk (Jim) of Boise, ID; grandchildren Sami (Kirk) Crockett (Jeremy) of Mountain Home, ID, and Jamie (Kirk) Farley of Boise, ID; and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Brayden Farley, Ruby, and Jeremiah Crockett.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roger, her mother Bertha (Nanny), her stepfather George McCluskey, her grandson-in-law Kyle Farley, and many aunts, uncles, and extended family.

A special thank you is given to the compassionate Touchmark staff, who provided loving care to Edna during her time in Memory Care, especially during her final days.

Edna requested that no services be held in her honor. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Big Sky Cremations. A private family gathering will occur later this summer, where Roger and Edna's ashes will be scattered on one last journey.

Memorials made in her honor may be sent to the Masonic Home of Montana, 2010 Masonic Road, Helena, MT 59602, or to the charity of your choice. Please visit www.bigskycremations.com to leave a condolence to the family or share a favorite Edna memory.

We love you, Mom. You're home now with Daddy and Nanny.

Grief never ends ... but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith ... It is the price of love.