James Egbert “Bootie” Holson, 92, of Ocean View, Del., formerly of Camp Springs, died June 20. He was born in Washington to the late Edward and Catherine Holson.
Bootie was married 67 years to the late Patricia Ann “Patsy” Holson. Together they raised their family of 14 children in a house they built on Old Branch Avenue in Temple Hills. After retiring, they moved to Bethany Beach, enjoying their golden years together.
He worked for the District Government in the sheet metal trade for 35 years, before retiring and starting a family-owned business, J & J Contractors, specializing in sheet metal and roofing. I remember when he installed a new roof on St. Philip’s Church years ago, adding two small skylights.
He was active at St. Philip’s, volunteering for both church and school. He coached CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) baseball and Camp Springs Boys Club.
He was a huge fan of the Washington Nationals (he was wearing a Nats jacket in the coffin). He enjoyed a good game of poker and a lucky slot machine. He played fast pitch softball in the Guy Mason Metropolitan League and was inducted into the Fast Pitch Hall of Fame along with his oldest son, Jimmy.
Bootie was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; his children, Mary Christine Delinski, James Joseph Holson and Bonita Jean Watson; and his siblings, Joseph, Edward and Anthony Holson and Mary Anne Holson Friello. Survivors include his children, Catherine Waltersdorff, Barbie Lloyd, Pat Holson, Vicki Farri, Maureen Taylor, Joan Emrick, Ann Horak, Paula Anderson, Michael Holson, Jeannine Schaefer and Mark Holson; 40 grandchildren and 67 great grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Philip’s with celebrants Fr. Ryan Pineda and Fr. Paul Hill, Bootie’s brother-in-law. The Holson sons were in charge of preparation of the Altar and Gifts; the daughters were Pallbearers. Music was by John Whipple. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery was followed by repast in St. Philp’s Hall.
I attended the funeral. I think all 40 grandkids and 67 great-grandkids (some in-arms) were there. I’m sure Bootie loved it.
Town of MorningsideMorningside has a handsome new website, www.morningsidemd.gov. Check it out for general information and upcoming activities. Also, if you have a concern you’d like the Mayor to address, go to mayor@morningsidemd.gov.
Monthly town meeting, July 16, 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Info: 301-736-2300.
I spy at Darnall’s ChanceLearn real 18th century spying techniques during a role-playing, hands-on spy mission for Gen. George Washington. Find out how the American Army outwitted the British with secrets and tricks to win the American Revolution!
The program is for children ages 6–14 who can read and write. This is a free ticketed event. Program length is approximately 45 minutes. The event will run every Tuesday and Wednesday in July from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Darnall’s Chance House is in Upper Marlboro, on a hill overlooking School House Pond. For information, call 301-952-8010.
Places to go and Things to doCamp Springs Senior Activity Center is hosting Pickett Fences Bingo and Workshop on July 17, 1-3 pm. Free. For more senior activities, visit the Center at 6420 Allentown Road or call 301-449-0490. You can also pick up the Calendar for June, July and August.
Bingo is held every Wednesday, 6pm to 10pm, at Knights of Columbus hall in Forestville. (Bingo allows the Knights to be generous at local food pantries and Pro Life clinics.) Each week they have $3000 in cash Bingo prizes, and more. For information call Bingo Chairman, George Hoehl, 391-599-0307.
Changing landscapeSakuraGo is announcing its Grand Opening with a banner at Woodyard Crossing Shopping Center, in Clinton. It has traditional Japanese food served with green tea. The website says it offers “fresh hibachi bowl.” If you go, let me know.
Speaking of eating out, daughter Sheila and I tried the Ruth Mexican Food Truck, parked at one of the gas stations on Suitland Road across from Morningside. Ruth herself took our order. I tried enchiladas, Sheila got tacos. The food was tasty and probably, authentic.
A home at 4315 Ridgecrest Drive, in Skyline, has sold for $450.000.
Denise McHale, Surrattsville grad, dies as David plays “In my life”Beryl Denise (Negrón) McHale, 72, my daughter-in-law, died June 21 in Boulder, Colo. She had suffered for years with Huntington’s Disease.
Denise, as we all knew her, was the second-oldest of the eight children of Victor and Minerva Negrón. She was born in Honolulu, in the then-territory of Hawaii where her father was stationed. Soon after her birth, the family moved to San Antonio where her father was tapped to be an attorney for the Air Force. This took the Negrón family to Panama and to Andrews AFB. Denise attended Surrattsville High School, graduating in 1969.
I taught bridge for teens at Andrews Officers Club. One day my son Mike met Denise at bridge. They fell in love. Mike graduated from McNamara and went on to Maryland U. Denise got a secretarial job. They married at Andrews and moved to Michigan, finally to Saginaw. Mike attended General Motors Institute.
Denise became a caseworker for the State of Michigan Department of Social Services. For decades, she worked relentlessly and compassionately to help low-income and unhoused residents of Saginaw access government assistance. She was determined to make sure her clients had all the support they needed and deserved, and when Denise was determined, she was indomitable.
They lived near my family home in Saginaw, and soon welcomed two sons, David and Conor. But sadly, within a few years, Denise apparently suffered the beginnings of Huntington’s Disease. Sadly, their marriage failed. But I always think of her as a daughter-in-law.
She moved to Denver with son David, and later to a nursing home in Boulder. She died there, with David and his guitar, his wife Nina, and two of their children. David played the Beatles’ “In My Life” in the moments before she died. Survivors include sons David (Nina) and Conor (Heather); grandchildren, Jack, Molly, Riley, Mary and Wesley, and several siblings.
MilestonesHappy Birthday to Chrissy Bennett, Bea Desmarais and Marie Golihew, July 6; Father Kevin Cusick, Charles “Tony” Haley, Sue Richards and Rev. Dr. Kelvin McCune, July 7;
Jimmy Gromen and Anthony Curcio‑Bobbitt, July 8; Karlyn Davis, John Anthony III and my grandson Zachary Seidman, July 9; my daughter Elaine (McHale) Seidman, July 10; Kevin Kline, Nicole Wade, Dee (Curcio) Brown and Dave Williams Jr., July 11; Carolyn Pruitt, July 12; and Kenard Simms, July 13.
Happy Anniversary to Dave and Carolyn Williams, their 49th on July 11.
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