Obituary of Elizabeth Holm

Elizabeth (Lee) Gennette Whitney Anderson Holm - A loving Mother, Wife, Sister, Grandmother and True Friend. On March 3, 2010, at 95 years of age, Lee Holm went to meet her Lord peacefully from her bed at Living Court Assisted Living in Enumclaw, WA. Lee had lived a full, adventurous and loving Christian life filled with family, friends and many fond memories. Born in McKenna, Washington on October 27, 1914 to parents, Clarence Edward Whitney and Jennette Wilson Whitney, Lee lived a rich life in the Puget Sound region. Her father taught her to swim at the young age of 5 years old when she would swim across Lake Tapps. Later she would enjoy the waters of American Lake. The family eventually moved to Buckley, Washington where she graduated in 1932 at the top of her class of 41 students and she served as valedictorian. In 1933, she married Robert B. Anderson and they had three wonderful sons; Lynn, John and Robert L. Lee was a linotype operator and office help for the Buckley News and Buckley Banner which she and her husband owned and operated for many years. She and Bob made many contributions to the community and schools with their printing services, and by helping young people learn the craft of printing and journalism. Sadly, Robert B. Anderson passed away in 1955 at the young age of 46. Evert Harold Holm married Lee in 1956 and they made their home in Enumclaw, Washington. Lee and Harold enjoyed hiking and camping throughout the Pacific Northwest. They also spent time in their large garden tract on Stevenson Avenue where they grew gorgeous rhododendrons. Harold would capture many of the beautiful scenes of nature and the wilderness on his large and medium format cameras. Lee would then colorize these photographs with her oil paints. Numerous photos of Mt. Rainier taken by Harold & Lee were gifted to retiring forest service employees and close friends and family. Harold passed away in 1979. Lee enjoyed many past times and hobbies throughout her long life including reading, knitting, crochet, hiking, camping, gardening, her cocker spaniel dog "Joy", photography, bible study and world travel (especially with her beloved sister, Calista). There was one hobby that brought her years of enjoyment, good health and special friends for her entire life. This was the time spent swimming. Lee joined the Masters Swimming group at the young age of 60, never competing in a race until that time. She was a member of the Early Risers swim group who use to meet at the old Enumclaw Forward Thrust pool at 6:30 AM five mornings a week. In 2002, she had logged 4,200 miles in the water! One her biggest achievements was swimming in the first world master's competition in New Zealand in 1974 where she placed 4th in her division. When she swam in a mixed relay in the 80-85 year old category, the team broke a world record! Swimming brought so much joy to Lee's life and it shows in the many mementos she kept... many newspaper clippings, medals and trophies, a log of every mile she swam,... and photos of so many, many wonderful friends.