Posted By RichC on April 28, 2010
Anne Marguerite Holmstrom passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 after 80 years of joyful, exuberant living. Her keen wit, artistic talent, strong principles, love of family, friends and country, appreciation of music, funny stories and the well-turned phrase, left a powerful and lasting impression on all who knew her.
Anne started her life on February 28, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware, the youngest child of Dr. Richard and Marguerite Mullikin. She spent the summers of her youth on the Delaware and New Jersey coasts, Lake Chautauqua, N.Y. and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Her childhood was shaped by the Depression and the untimely death of her father when Anne was 15 years old. Her primary and secondary education was entirely at Wilmington Friends School, founded in 1748 and the oldest school in Delaware. Anne maintained a close and supportive relationship with the school throughout her life.
She met the love of her life, Fritz Holmstrom, at Lake Chautauqua the summer after graduating from Friends School and before her freshman year at Wellesley College. Fritz was a student at Harvard Medical School working a summer at the lake and he spent every free moment courting the 17 year old Anne. After a whirlwind romance, Fritz proposed, Anne accepted, and they were married the following summer. Thus began a lifetime of travel and adventure.
Fritz was a career military physician and his work with America’s early space program took the family to assignments around the world, ending in San Antonio at the School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks A.F.B. Which each move, Anne created a haven of security and happy times. After Fritz retired, he entered an Anesthesia residency at UTHSC and Anne supplemented their in income by creating and selling her colorful and imaginative works of art at local art shows and galleries. When Fritz began his next career in the Anesthesia Department of UTHSC, Anne organized many fun-filled and well attended parties for their friends, both old and new.
Fritz died suddenly in 1982, but Anne found great comfort and companionship with another retired military man, Claude “Mac” McRaven, a former professional football player and WWII Spitfire pilot. They remained a devoted couple until his death in 2007.
Anne’s many and eclectic interests included: golf, British comedies, old movies, The Wall Street Journal (and savvy investing), Nevada slots, poker and bridge with her friends, Sudoku and crossword puzzles, listening to classical music, singing old-fashioned ballads, hosting lively parties, working nonstop on art for her family and friends, and remaining curious about the mysteries of life.
Anne is survived by her two children, Margie Baird and Fritz Holmstrom, their spouses Mote and Suzanne; seven grandchildren, Caroline (and Mike) Decherd, Bill (and Laura) Baird, Anne (and Cameron) Campbell, Michael Baird, Henry Holmstrom, Bonnie Holmstrom, and Kathryn Holmstrom; five great-grandchildren: Cally, Josie, Lucy and Francie Decherd and Marguerite Campbell. Anne was blessed with a collection of beloved, fun-loving friends who participated wholeheartedly in her exciting life. Finally, the family extends grateful thanks to Jo Hames for her faithful and loving care.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE MONDAY
MAY 3, 2010
9:30 A.M.
FORT SAM HOUSTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY Rev. Lisa Mason officiating. You are invited to sign The guestbook at www.porterloring.com
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It is interesting how different generations respond to this 1950s advertising photo from the Bradley Corporation. 
