Iris Holden

Iris Holden, 93, died at Androscoggin Valley Hospital on Monday, December 7, 2009. She was born and raised in Jefferson, NH, the daughter of Wyeth C. and Clara Hurlbutt Holmes and attended Jefferson schools. She married Freeman Holden March 2, 1935. After living in New Hampton, NH and Dalton, NH they built a home in Randolph, NH in 1942 and lived there together until Freemans death in 2001. Iris sold the homestead in 2004 and moved to Birch Grove in Gorham which she enjoyed very much.While raising her children she was very active in the 4-H Club. In later years she became a member of the Gorham Womans Club. She was a long-time member of St. Johns Methodist Church in Jefferson and also attended the Gorham Methodist Church. She was secretary and treasurer for the town of Randolph for many years. She also worked at the Waumbek Hotel, the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Littleton Stamp and Coin Company.Iris was an avid gardener and seamstress. While she lived in Randolph she enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking the mountains she loved. Family members include two sons; Baxter Holden and wife Mae of Salisbury, NH and Willard Holden and wife Leah Rae of Duncan, OK, and one daughter, Andrea Philbrook of Gorham, NH; six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; one sister, Esther McLain of Weare, NH, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Freeman Holden; one son, Lee Hayes Holden; three sisters; Rena Coulter, Sylvia Reed and Susan Levack; and one brother, Clyde Holmes. There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2010. Donations in memory of Iris may be made to the Jefferson Historical Society, Jefferson, NH 03583.