JANET HOLDEN WALLACE

JANET HOLDEN WALLACE McALLEN - Janet Holden Wallace was reunited with her beloved husband, Edward Francis Wallace, on the 12th of March 2014. At home and surrounded by her large and loving family, she departed this transitory life to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Janet, affectionately called "Gammy" loved her faith, family, friends and the Rio Grande Valley and spent her life expressing that love in ways that enriched the lives of all the people with whom she came into contact. She exuded a radiance when she entered a room; she lit it up with her glorious smile. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Viola Iris and Francis Aloysius Holden. She received her high school degree from the St. Augustine Academy and went on to attend the Cleveland School of the Arts. She modeled in New York for The John Powers Agency. Living in Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, the Philippines and traveling extensively around the world, gave Janet an appreciation of the importance of culture and learning. When she moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1948, she became an early and avid supporter of numerous charitable organizations. She has lived in McAllen for the last sixty years. She belonged to the Junior League of McAllen for over 50 years and has served on many other boards including the RGV International Music Festival, McAllen Opera Guild, McAllen International Museum, PDAP, United Way and the McAllen Civic Center Board. She served on the Gladys Porter Zoo Board for 18 years. She served on the Board of the Museum of South Texas History, and also served on The Symphony Board of which she was the driving force behind the fundraiser to secure the Steinway piano for the Valley Symphony Orchestra to use at concerts performed at The University of Texas - Pan American. She was a board member of the International Museum of Arts and Science, on the Advisory Board of UTPA and was an active member of the McAllen Genealogy Society. She received numerous honors and awards including the McAllen Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Citizen award as "McAllen Woman of the Year", Junior League of McAllen Sustainers' "Outstanding Community Service", Valley Symphony Orchestra's "Cultural Leader of the Year" award, Zonta Club's "2002 Shining Star" award, Muscular Dystrophy Association's "2004 Night of the Oscars" award, and the American Heart Association's "Heart of Gold" award. The University of Texas - Pan American International Women's Board gave her the "Excellence in Leadership Award". She loved attending her DAR Meetings and was honored to receive the coveted "Community Service Award" by the DAR's Rio Grande Chapter. In addition, she was recognized by the Mayor of McAllen and the McAllen City Commission, when they presented a proclamation making February 14, 2005 "Janet Wallace Day" in the City of McAllen. She was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, P.E.O., McAllen Chamber of Commerce, McAllen Country Club and 20th Century Book Club. Janet was predeceased by her mother and father, as well as her sister Rosemary Holden Donihi of Washington DC, brother Edward Albert Holden of Cleveland, Ohio and husband Ed, affectionately known as "Pops." Janet is survived by her loving children: Nancy Allen Burrow and husband Harry, R.C. Allen and wife Helen, Geoffrey Hill Allen and wife Gloria, Mark Holden Allen and wife Ann, Mollie Allen Crow, Edward Francis Wallace, Jr. (Ned), John Christian Wallace and wife Melissa, Holden Hatcher William Wallace, Janet Wallace Yancy and husband Kevin, Sally Wallace Crawford and husband Keith and Colleen Wallace. Her children always felt: To know her was to love her, To be around her was a gift from God. She was the greatest, We were the luckiest! She is survived by her twenty-seven grandchildren: Holden Burrow and wife Shana, Clifford Burrow, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Holmes, Janet Allen, Ford Allen and wife Bea, James Allen and wife Emily, Joe Allen, Willie Allen, Stephen Allen, Christy Allen Merritt and husband Chris, Ashley Allen, Taylor Allen and wife Kendra, Mary Wallace, Anna Wallace, Mollie Wallace, Janet (Denny) Wallace, Alden Wallace, Rosemary Wallace, William Wallace, Rose Wallace, Kathryn Yancy, Kevin Yancy, Jr., Sarah Yancy, Scott Yancy, Brian Yancy, Ross Crawford, Carling Crawford and John Crawford. She is also survived by her ten precious great-grandchildren: Holden Woodley Burrow, Jr., Russell Burrow, Berkley Burrow, Connor Burrow, Graham Holmes, Helen Holmes, Ainsley Merritt, Annabel Merritt, Hatcher Merritt and Holden Allen. The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will certainly miss her unconditional love for them, but also her heavenly brownies and fudge. Her family wishes to express their deep love and appreciation to her devoted caregivers, Griselda (Chela) Obrera, Lorena Perez and Veronica Escobedo. Also the whole family remembers the wonderful years of devoted service from the now deceased Clara Ramirez. A Memorial Mass is to be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, in McAllen at 2:00 pm, on Friday, March 14th, where Monsignor Gustavo Barrera and Monsignor Thomas McGettrick will officiate. Immediately following the service a reception will be held at 901 Kendlewood Drive, McAllen, Texas. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude, contributions in memory of Janet Holden Wallace may be directed to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1108 W. Hackberry Avenue, McAllen, Texas 78501 and the following organizations: Museum of South Texas History, 956 383-6911, lbeeching@mosthistory.org Valley Symphony Orchestra, 956 661-1615, vivian@valleyorchestra.org International Museum of Art and Science, 956 682-1564, info@imasonline.org Gladys Porter Zoo, 956 546-7187, webmaster@gpz.org or a charity of one's choice. Kreidlerfuneralhome.com Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries