Obituary for Virginia Holland (Hale)
Virginia (Hale) Cowles Holland died peacefully in her home on Sunday, May 27.
Virginia grew up in West Hartford, the daughter of Wallace and Madeline (Radican) Hale. A graduate of Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Virginia was crowned Miss West Hartford 1947. She went onto nursing school at the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing where she worked as a nurse after graduation.
Virginia married Richard E. Cowles of Hartford on May 2, 1953. They raised their children in Newington and Wethersfield. Years after his death, Virginia married Daniel E. Holland on March 27, 1993. They continued to live in Wethersfield until Daniel’s death at which time Virginia returned to West Hartford.
Virginia was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge and loved to tackle challenging crossword puzzles. Virginia also enjoyed traveling, especially wintering in St. Croix.
She is survived by her children: Kathleen Sullivan and husband, Patrick Sullivan of Bloomfield; Elizabeth Dooley of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Susan Greco and husband Kenneth Greco of Bloomfield; Jonathan Cowles and wife, Lisa Durland of Manchester. Virginia is also survived by her sister in law, Barbara Flanagan of California, as well as her stepchildren; Mark and Diane Holland, Daniel and Deborah Holland, Paul and Elisa Holland, John Holland, Peter and Kristine Holland. Virginia will be missed by her grandchildren; Alicia Fiducia (Paulo) , Christopher Dooley (Stephanie), Kevin Dooley (Victoria), Sean Dooley, Cara Dooley, Ryan Dooley, Sarah Cowles and David Cowles, and one great grandson, Connor Dooley.
Virginia was predeceased by her first husband, Richard E. Cowles; her son, Richard H. Cowles; her second husband, Daniel E. Holland Jr. and her son in law, Michael F. Dooley.
The family gives special thanks to Virginia’s “angel” of a caregiver, Hazel Lowe-Tucker, who provided her with the most wonderful and tender care for more than two years. The family also thanks the McLean Hospice program nurses and staff for their service and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, (June 2) at 11:00 am at Incarnation Church, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Sheehan, Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. Burial will be at Mt. Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Office of Radio and Television for the Hartford Archdiocese on 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT. 06712; or to the Hartford Hospital Fund Development at 80 Seymour Street, P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT. 06112. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
Virginia grew up in West Hartford, the daughter of Wallace and Madeline (Radican) Hale. A graduate of Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Virginia was crowned Miss West Hartford 1947. She went onto nursing school at the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing where she worked as a nurse after graduation.
Virginia married Richard E. Cowles of Hartford on May 2, 1953. They raised their children in Newington and Wethersfield. Years after his death, Virginia married Daniel E. Holland on March 27, 1993. They continued to live in Wethersfield until Daniel’s death at which time Virginia returned to West Hartford.
Virginia was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge and loved to tackle challenging crossword puzzles. Virginia also enjoyed traveling, especially wintering in St. Croix.
She is survived by her children: Kathleen Sullivan and husband, Patrick Sullivan of Bloomfield; Elizabeth Dooley of Glen Burnie, Maryland; Susan Greco and husband Kenneth Greco of Bloomfield; Jonathan Cowles and wife, Lisa Durland of Manchester. Virginia is also survived by her sister in law, Barbara Flanagan of California, as well as her stepchildren; Mark and Diane Holland, Daniel and Deborah Holland, Paul and Elisa Holland, John Holland, Peter and Kristine Holland. Virginia will be missed by her grandchildren; Alicia Fiducia (Paulo) , Christopher Dooley (Stephanie), Kevin Dooley (Victoria), Sean Dooley, Cara Dooley, Ryan Dooley, Sarah Cowles and David Cowles, and one great grandson, Connor Dooley.
Virginia was predeceased by her first husband, Richard E. Cowles; her son, Richard H. Cowles; her second husband, Daniel E. Holland Jr. and her son in law, Michael F. Dooley.
The family gives special thanks to Virginia’s “angel” of a caregiver, Hazel Lowe-Tucker, who provided her with the most wonderful and tender care for more than two years. The family also thanks the McLean Hospice program nurses and staff for their service and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, (June 2) at 11:00 am at Incarnation Church, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at Sheehan, Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. Burial will be at Mt. Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Office of Radio and Television for the Hartford Archdiocese on 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT. 06712; or to the Hartford Hospital Fund Development at 80 Seymour Street, P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, CT. 06112. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com