Marcella "Marcy" Holtz's Obituary
Marcella "Marcy" Holtz, 86, of Estero, FL passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024. Marcy was born November 9, 1938 to Joseph and Marcella (McCormick) VanLeuven in Troy, New York.
Marcy is preceded in passing by her beloved husband, Carl F. Holtz, by her parents, Joseph and Marcella (McCormick) VanLeuven, by her sisters, Catherine (“Tommy”) Leonard and Imelda Schwartz, by her dear Aunt Rose McCormick, by Frances and Kenneth Easter and by many cherished relatives and friends.
Marcy leaves her loving memory with her survivors, her brother John (“Jack”) VanLeuven; her brother Joseph (“Butch”) VanLeuven and his wife Paula; her nieces Sherry Leonard Marks; Patricia Leonard; Charlene, Danielle and Yvonne VanLeuven; Nancy Little and her husband Glenn Little; her nephews Donald Leonard and Kenneth Easter; and several grand nieces and nephews. Marcy cherished many dear friends she was blessed with over the years, friends from Watervliet where she grew up and upstate New York, friends from her years in Rochester and, during the last several decades, friends made at Captiva and in her community at Pelican Sound in Estero, Florida.
Throughout her life Marcy was active and engaged in shaping and contributing to the world around her. She earned her college degree from the SUNY Teachers College (now the University at Albany, SUNY) and taught science and math at Watervliet High School for several years. While living in Rochester, New York with her husband Carl for much of her adult life she worked at a dentist’s office, for an architectural firm and for the Diocese of Rochester utilizing her excellent administrative and organizational talents. She had a significant role in organizing and facilitating a diocesan wide synod in the late 1990s. After retiring to Southwest Florida, she became a highly active member in the Pelican Sound Community participating on several boards, chairing committees (Sound Learning), organizing group activities such as weekly bridge nights and, especially important to her, organizing an annual golf tournament fundraiser at Pelican Sound to benefit the girls and boys golf teams at Estero High School. Marcy was an accomplished seamstress and crafter who gifted her many nieces, nephews and friends with beautifully and lovingly made items such as Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and all sorts of personal apparel and home goods. She loved to travel with Carl and enjoyed many international trips with him over the years as well as trips to Maine, Colorado, Cape Cod, Captiva and Arizona. She was physically active and fit and especially enjoyed golf, tennis and downhill skiing. She had a keen intellect, keeping up to date with current events locally as well as globally. She was a skilled bridge player and enjoyed puzzles of all kinds. Throughout her life Marcy gave generously of her time and talent through numerous volunteer activities especially during the last 25 years at Pelican Sound. She was also generous to friends and family and indeed to the broader community frequently giving to charities that were important to her.
Marcy's family has entrusted Fort Myers Memorial Gardens with the tender care of her final arrangements. Those who wish to honor her life may wish to make a donation to St. Matthew’s House (stmatthewshouse.org) or to the American Cancer Society.
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