Celia Holmes

Celia May Holmes, formerly of Holland MA, died June 4, 2005, at William Backus Hospital, Norwich, CT. She was born December 29, 1906 in Caribou, ME, daughter of Cyrus Alward and Mary Horthone Alward. At age five, she was adopted by John Edward Russell and Harriet Oliver Russell in Winslow, ME. She married Everett Herbert Holmes in Waterville, ME, on June 23, 1928. He died November 14, 1978. She is survived by daughter Shirley H. Moorcroft and her husband Arthur Lee Moorcroft of Oakdale, CT, two grandsons, Douglas Holmes Moorcroft of Saunderstown (South Kingston), RI and James Arthur Moorcroft of Brookfield, VT. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers; Charles Alward, Ivan Alward, Harry Alward and four sisters; Viola Barnes, Phoebe Barnes, Vesta Thompson and Winefred Tuttle. She was employed as a telephone operator in Waterville, ME and Cambridge, MA. She served as a matron superintendent of Bates Dormitory at the Lawrence Training School, Lawrence, MA. She worked as an executive secretary at the American Optical Company, Southbridge, MA for 26 years, retiring in 1968. She was a member of Elm Street Congregational Church in Southbridge, MA. She loved music and sang in several choirs through the years. Her crocheted handwork was given as gifts and featured at many church fairs. There are no calling hours. A graveside service is scheduled at the Holland, MA cemetery on Tuesday, June 7, 2005, at 10:00 AM. A Memorial Service is planned at Lee Memorial UMC, Norwich, CT on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to either Elm Street Congregational Church, PO Box 723, Southbridge, MA 01550 or to Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, 294 Washington St, Norwich, CT 06360. The Belanger- Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St, Southbridge, MA is in charge of arrangements. (508-764-3968). An online guest book is avaiable at www.belangerfuneralhome.com