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In memory of

Zita Ann Holden

Highland Park, IL, USA

April 4, 1928 - January 26, 2019

Apr 4, 1928 - Jan 26, 2019

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Zita Ann Holden passed away on January 26, 2019 at the age of 90. She was born on April 4, 1928 in Chicago, IL to the late Reva and Dr. Aaron Broyde and raised in Oak Park. Zita enjoyed a colorful childhood filled with refugees, emigres, and a variety of intriguing characters. She attended Oak Park High School and the U of I, Champaign, graduating with a degree in Sociology. In 1949, she married Mel Holden. They were together for 62 years until his death in 2012.

A cutthroat Mahjong player in later life, Zita's passions were many and included her family, friends, the babies, crossword puzzles, Hadassah, "Law & Order" reruns, "Jeopardy!", and chocolate in all of its forms. She was politically outspoken, especially during the current administration. The details of Zita's life fail to adequately convey the grace and charisma that defined her effervescent character. Her impact on everyone she met was magical, instantly beloved by strangers and cherished as the rare jewel she was by friends and family. She loved people. She said, "What's the point of money or things? It's people. People, who are the stuff of life." She was warm, witty, smart, generous, philosophical, unfailingly kind, and wholeheartedly genuine.

Zita was predeceased by her husband Mel, and beloved cousin Esther Peven. She is survived by her devoted children Barry Holden (Nina Yankowitz), Jill Holden (Ray Richmond), and Cheryl Lange (Ric Lange); grandchildren Ian Holden, Sara Holden, Rachel Spietz (Alex Spietz), and Joey Lange (Felix Hall); and great grandchildren Jackson and Finley Spietz; sister-in-law Barbara Holden; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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