Anna R. Holzer

Anna Holzer of Hurst, Texas, loved three things with unusual intensity: books, cities that planned ahead, and the people she'd been lucky enough to call her friends or family.
She was born Anna Marie Reeves on December 3, 1927, in Myra, Texas, a tiny farming community in Cooke County. Myra had a grocery store, a post office, a hospital and Anna's extended family. Her father John Reeves, age 21 at the time, was so thrilled at her arrival that he walked around handing cigars to everyone in sight—schoolchildren included.
Anna had one younger brother, Ebb Willis, named for their grandfather Ebb Bunyan Luna. Dr. Ebb W. Reeves of Tulsa OK predeceased Anna. She missed him deeply each of her remaining days.
She grew up influenced by tough, strong, practical women—her mother, her grandmothers, and five aunts—who guided their families through the dust bowl, depression, and two world wars.
Her family moved from Myra to Gainesville and finally to Denton in 1936. There Anna finished high school early and enrolled at Texas State College for Women (later Texas Woman's University). She earned a degree in bacteriology and medical technology and later a master's degree in library science.
After graduating Anna moved to Colorado to work at Denver General Hospital. While there she met Gerald (Jerry) Holzer. In 1950 she moved to New York City to marry him. While in NYC she worked at Cornell Medical School and Bellevue Hospital as a bacteriologist working on antibiotics research.
Anna and Jerry built a life together that lasted twenty-eight years and produced three accomplished sons. The marriage did not last forever, but the friendship did, with Jerry passing in 2007.
Anna, Jerry and their 3 sons moved to Texas where Jerry took a job at General Dynamics in Fort Worth. The family built and moved into their new house in the burgeoning suburb of Hurst in 1968. Though she traveled the world from Jerusalem to Caracas to Paris and beyond, Anna called that house home for the rest of her life.
While raising her family in Hurst, Anna earned her Master's Degree in Library Science at Texas Woman's University, was involved with the PTA, her homeowners association, The American Association of University Women, where she was a charter member of the Women's Policy Forum, the Tarrant County Democratic Women's Club, as president, historian, and later, emeritus member, the Texas Library Association, the Hurst Public Library, the Hurst Library Board, the Hurst Planning and Zoning Board, as a Democratic Precinct Chair, the United Way, at the Tarrant County Teen Court, the Hurst Fire Academy, and two book clubs.
She served for 24-years on the Hurst City Council, winning several hotly contested elections. She believed that differing points of view were not a problem to be solved but a necessary ingredient in good government. Her approach to issues was to find what was best for the city.
After earning her Masters, she worked for 29 years as a librarian at Tarrant County College. She retired as Director of Library Services for the Northwest Campus in 2008 at age 80. Anna took special pride in helping TCC students be successful in their educational endeavors.
She loved the Fort Worth's Symphony and Opera, as well as her many trips to New York with friends and colleagues to see live theater. The Bass Performance Hall recognized Anna for serving over 1,000 hours as a volunteer usher. She received numerous other recognition's, plaques, and awards.
She leaves behind the city she helped to build, the libraries she fought to expand and improve, the many students she influenced, and a family that knows exactly where they got their drive, their stubbornness, their curiosity, and their belief that ordinary people can—and should—shape the places they live.
Anna loved and promoted art in public spaces, so if, on some future afternoon, you walk into the Hurst Public Library, notice the statue of the woman reading that Anna was instrumental in placing there, and feel the urge to stop and say hello, don't resist it. Tell her Anna says "Hi".
Anna Holzer is survived by her three sons and their spouses and families, Nathaniel "Pete" Holzer of Hurst, John Holzer (Anne Forish) of Dripping Springs, Kurt Holzer (Ellie Rodgers) of Boise, Idaho, two grandchildren, Rachael Marie Majewski (Tim) of Dallas, Samantha Marie Corbin (Alex) of Austin, four great-grand children, Charlotte, Camille, Bennett and Margot Marie --as well as a passel of nieces, nephews, and in-laws for whom she was always a light. Not to mention the many Hurst residents and friends who she treasured and enjoyed.
The world was made better by her presence in it.
No public memorial is planned. For those so inclined, the family encourages donations in her memory to one of her favorite organizations like The Women's Center of Tarrant County or the American Association of University Women.
Or just go visit the Hurst Public Library!