Josephine Earnest Holzer

Josephine Earnest Holzer of Barrington Hills, IL, and Seattle, WA, died July 8 aged 91 after a five-year struggle with dementia. She was the beloved wife of the late Edwin Holzer for 55 years, devoted mother to Elisabeth Howard Holzer, Katharine Earnest Holzer, and Margaret Talley Holzer, and doting grandmother to Sara C.S. Holzer.

A native of Richmond, VA, she studied at Hollins College then U. Richmond Westhampton College (BA, Music and Psychology, 1955) and U. Indiana, Bloomington. She taught musicology at Gulf Park College in MS.

Philosophically, Jo was fully committed to the ideals of leaving the world a better place than she found it and of helping those who cannot help themselves. She was a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, fighting for equal rights on behalf of her daughter Margaret, who had a rare bone disease. She was actively involved in founding six organizations in Chicago and served as board chair and board member for dozens of others at the local, state, and national levels. She was appointed to state advisory councils by IL Attorney General Neil Hartigan and IL Governor Dan Walker. Her work was recognized with awards from several organizations, including the City of Chicago. She was proud to have been present at the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Her family was proud of her work and she is deeply missed.

Jo was predeceased by her parents, Clyde Talley Earnest and Josephine Smyth Earnest. She is survived by Elisabeth, Katharine, and Sara; daughter-in-law Levecke Mas; sister-in-law Mary Holzer; and the Earnests of Houston.



In lieu of flowers, please consider helping find a cure for fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva via IFOPA.org or donating to the Alzheimer's Association. For memorial service information, e-mail eholzer@comcast.net.