Shirley M. (Barrows) Holden

Shirley Marie (Barrows) Holden (AKA "Sha")
Age 95, of Elmira, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2023, at St. Joseph's  Skilled Nursing Facility, Elmira, NY.
Shirley was born on February 12, 1928, to the late Ezra and Rose Barrows in Elmira, NY.
Shirley is predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Randall Holden, Jr., and son, Glen Holden.
She is survived by her 6 children, Randy (Kim) Holden of Horseheads, NY, Linda (John) Hall of Cary, NC, Mary Jankowski of Louisville, KY, Harvey (Debra) Holden of Palm Harbor, FL, Bonnie Monteleone of Wilmington, NC, and Susan Mettler of Elmira, NY; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother, John Barrows of NJ; sister, Diane Palmer of Elmira, NY; and many nieces and nephews.
Shirley's top priority was always her family. We will never forget her standing in a hot kitchen canning fruits and vegetables during the summers and sitting in the bleachers cheering us on at every season of football, baseball, and lacrosse. We will always appreciate the many sacrifices she made for others, her unwavering love, and continuous support, her positive energy, and her joyful interactions with her grandchildren. Shirley was an exceptional sister, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, whose warm embrace will be sorely missed by all those who love her.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Penna. Ave., Elmira, on Thursday, May 25 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Funeral services honoring Shirley's life will be held there on Friday, May 26 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Jerusalem Hill. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to The Plastic Ocean Project, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, the Brain Injury Association of New York State, or St. Joseph's Hospital.
A 'Candle of Remembrance" may be left for her family at www.olthof.com.