Marynoyes Kellogg Holden, lifelong resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 3rd 2007. She was 88 and had suffered from Alzheimer's disease in recent years. She was married to Dr. Robert B. Holden from 1941 till his passing in 1995. Together, they raised six children at 121 Florence Street and at 63 Wentworth Road in Melrose.
Marynoyes was an accomplished artist and was a member of the North Shore, Reading, and Concord Art Associations. She placed or won in many of the juried shows. Her impressionistic rendering of salt marshes and woodlands reflect her love both of painting and the natural scenery of New England.
She was born in 1918, only child of Frank G. Kellogg and Stella Emerson Kellogg, and lived at 87 West Wyoming Ave. She attended the Lincoln School and Melrose High School, graduating in 1935.
As a young child she spent summers with her relatives in Harpswell Maine at her great grandfather Rev. Elijah Kellogg's homestead. She was much steeped in the lore of Elijah's many books and sermons. Later the family would spend summers at Little Neck in Ipswich, the beginning of a life long love affair with the sea, rock, sand, and marsh.
Marynoyes majored in chemistry at Tufts University graduating in 1939. After college, she was employed for several years as a research chemist at the Peter Bent Brigham. During this time, she supported her husband, Bob, as he completed medical school.
With her husband in basic training and then serving in Europe during World War II, she cared for her first child on her own for nearly two years. She and her husband wrote letters to each other every day that they were apart. It was the only time they were apart during their 53 year marriage.
After the war, the Holden's began raising their family in Melrose. She attended the Melrose United Methodist Church with her family. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school at the church and was active in Layton Circle. She was also very active in other organizations such as the American Association of University Women and the Kappa Swap Shop and several book clubs.
She encouraged her children to learn, to laugh and to appreciate the beauty of the world. Even in her declining years, she continued to be a wellspring of courage, love, and devotion.
Marynoyes had a natural beauty, easy social grace, even temperament, and a playful sense of humor.
She leaves her family, a circle of beloved friends, and community.
Her family includes six children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild: Bob Holden and wife Holly Hosmer of Bedford, their children: Jonathan Holden and his son Liam and; Katherine Holden; Mary Holden of Melrose; Mark Holden, and wife Melissa Sweet of Rockport (ME) and Mark's children: Dan Holden, Arista Holden, and Emily Holden; Jane Holden (Melrose); Leslie Holden and husband Bob Noland and their son Ben (London, England); Peter Holden, wife Rochelle Strenger, and their sons, Nathaniel and Elliot. Sister in law, Ruth Holden Spencer lives in Denville, N.J.