Holly H. Benoit

Holly Jeanne Holden Benoit of Scarborough, Maine died last Wednesday, April 11, 2018, surrounded by her entire family after finishing her courageous fight against breast cancer. Holly was 59. She was the daughter of the late Richard and Margaret Holden and wife of John Benoit. Holly grew up in Cape Elizabeth where she became an accomplished athlete in field hockey and diving.

Holly married her high school sweetheart, John Benoit, in 1982. Holly and John settled in Scarborough where they raised three children Matthew, Gregory and Margaret.

Holly began her professional career working with her father and brother Tom at the Holden Agency. She was instrumental to its growth and introduced technology to its operations. Soon after Margaret's birth, Holly left the agency to raise her three children. She was a thoughtful, giving and nurturing mother. Holly developed a reputation with family and friends to always be doing for others, and rarely for herself. Her children were the pride and glory of her life. As the children grew older, Holly owned and operated Curtains for Certain until diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Most recently, Holly helped Gregory launch Benoit's Design Company, a sophisticated laser etching business in Westbrook. Holly was the CFFFO (Chief Family Fun Financial Officer) overseeing the operations of the company. Holly continued working with her son until her death.

Holly was an 11 year breast cancer warrior. Not only did she learn to survive the disease, but she confronted and challenged it constantly with a holistic, incredibly informed and progressive approach. Whether through diet, lifestyle, exercise, spiritual healing, lymphatic massage or advanced genomic therapies, she was always looking for answers and willing to pioneer a new approach. She was astonishingly resilient, and willing to share and be encouraged by others. She was energized by the continuous love and support from those around her. Her oncologists remarked that she was at the forefront of battling the disease. Holly pursued her personalized approach, in combination with traditional medicine, to maintain internal balance and enrich her cancer journey. Her family stood in awe of the strength, resilience and perseverance of Holly's efforts. She never complained, rather comforted family and friends who were around her. She was in all sense angelic and for that we are grateful.

Holly compartmentalized her disease. When she wasn't consulting with clinicians or receiving treatments, she maintained an active and normal life. This was exceedingly important to Holly as the stigma of cancer can easily infiltrate social and family circles. Whenever she could, Holly loved being at Cliff Island with her family or escaping to Sugarloaf to breath in the fresh air and swoop down her favorite cruisers with John, friends and kids in tow.

Holly was also an incredible advocate and supporter of the cancer community. As a 10 year participant in the Tri for a Cure, she continuously raised funds for the Maine Cancer Foundation. Holly quietly supported her husband and brother Tom's efforts to fund cancer research at MMCRI, and was instrumental in establishing a scholarship to support young researchers at this facility.

As you can see she wasn't just a survivor, she was an advocate, pioneer and warrior. We are so proud.

Holly is survived by her loving husband, John of 36 years; her daughter Margaret and her sons Matthew, Gregory and his wife Christina; and her two companion labs Boomer and Lucy. She is also survived by her sister Heidi Haskell and brothers Rick, Jeff, Tom and Peter Holden, all of Greater Portland.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to so many, especially all of her friends and care providers at New England Cancer Specialists, Maine Medical Center and Dana Farber. Additional thanks are shared with Holly's holistic care team especially Lorna, Amy and Kim. Their compassion and loving friendship will never be forgotten.

A gathering will be held at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 3-5:30pm, immediately followed by a private service for the family. A Celebration of Holly's Life will be held at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough at 11am on Saturday, April 21, 2018. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Holly's memory to Maine Cancer Foundation's Tri for a Cure. If mailed, donations should reference Margaret Benoit so Margaret can continue to raise funds for our family's efforts to fight cancer in Maine. Address: 170 US Rte 1, Ste 250, Falmouth, ME 04105 or donations may be made online at https://mainecancer.donordrive.com/participant/margaretbenoit.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Holly's online guest book.