Velma Holland

Our dear mother, Velma Holland, 98, passed into heaven on September 28th, 2025 in Phoenix, AZ where she spent the last 5 years of her life. Velma was born February 15, 1927 in Los Angeles to Patrick and Velma Regan. She attended local schools and graduated from Burbank High School in 1945. She then earned a teaching and Library Science Degree from UCLA. In 1951, Velma married the love of her life, Walter Holland, a dashing young Navy pilot. They lived in Lake Arrowhead, CA, where three young children blessed their lives before they settled permanently in Twentynine Palms, California.

When her children were young, Velma lovingly supported them, becoming a Girl Scout leader and teaching Sunday School. Later when the kids were in Jr. High School, she became the High School Librarian. A job that she loved and held for over 25 years. She also served as California Scholarship Federation advisor and Quiz Bowl sponsor. After retiring from teaching, she was active and held several positions in the Hi-Desert Division of Retired Teachers, 29 Palms Historical Society, and the 29 Palms Artist Guild.

Velma enjoyed many hobbies including collecting antique cans and purple glass, making dried flower arrangements, painting desert scenes, crafting, traveling, and playing bridge and cribbage. She was a member and deacon at Little Church of the Desert, and enjoyed singing in the choir.

She will be remembered for her devotion to family and community. Her grandchildren remember her as kind, funny, playful and generous. She loved singing around the campfire, playing games and celebrating special occasions.

Velma is survived by her three children, Andrew (Laura) Holland, Barbara (Darrell) Uyeda, Laurel (Gale) Watkins, seven grandchildren, Jake, Matthew & Nathan Holland, Frank & Sheryl Uyeda, Timothy & Rebecca Watkins and 11 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Patrick and Velma Regan, her brother, Patrick Regan and her husband of 68 years, Walter Holland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Phoenix on Saturday, October 4th at 2pm, Gale Watkins officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4735 N. 19th Ave. Phoenix.

The family extends special thanks to the caregivers and staff at Beatitudes and the members and deacons of Westminster Presbyterian Church.