Laura Holmes

Laura Eleanor Holmes, 96 years, a loving mother, loyal friend, avid reader and active garden club member who had a passion for raising show roses and specimen horticultural plants, passed away Monday, September 14, 2015.

Laura was born and raised in Washington, DC and graduated from George Washington University in 1935.  After graduating, Laura went to work for the Federal Government.   In 1941, she enlisted in the Navy and received a commission of Lieutenant after completing training at Smith College.

Following her service in WWII, Laura went to work for the State Department and was assigned to the American Embassy in Bogota, Columbia.  While in Columbia a revolution erupted and she was evacuated from the Embassy by the US Army.  During this evacuation, she met her future husband, Merrit B. Holmes, whom she married in 1948.  Laura later accompanied her husband on a government work assignment to England.

Eventually settling in Rockville, Maryland, Laura soon joined the Seedling Garden Club and remained an active member for 50 plus years.  She was an accomplished flower designer and arranger and achieved certificates as a Master Landscape Design Consultant and a Master Flower Show Judge.  She was especially fond of Ikebana design and traveled to Japan to study with the masters.  Laura was an active member of the National Capital Area Council of Accredited Flower Show Judges, the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Ikebana International and the Potomac Rose Society.  Her passion and expertise for flowers and horticulture led to many honors and awards.  She chaired numerous flower shows and regularly exhibited and developed schedules for these shows.  Her talent, skills and gentle manner and encouraging nature enticed new gardeners and artists to participate in garden club events and shows.

Survivors include her daughters, Valerie Porter (David) and Melissa Watkins (Dave); four grandchildren, Jennifer Barnard, Bradley Porter, Charlotte Porter and Bryan Walter; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Godfrey; and a niece, Connie LeBac.

Her husband, Merrit B. Holmes; daughter, Vivian; and two brothers, Charles and John preceded her in death.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Boulevard, Mt. Airy.

Graveside services be held 1 p.m. Monday, September 21st at Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville, MD with the Rev. Tim May officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Stauffer Funeral Home, Mt. Airy.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.