Lorraine “Pinky” Holcomb passed away peacefully on January 23, 2012 at her residence in Sedro-Woolley, WA. She was 89 years old.
Born in Sandoval, Illinois, on July 28, 1922, to Jacob and Eulah Marcham, she was raised in Carlyle, Illinois, and attended college at Eastern Illinois University. In 1941, she married Dale Holcomb and moved the following year to Port Angeles, WA, where they made their home and raised four children.
In 1970, they moved to Glens Falls, N.Y. There, she had a successful career in real estate sales until retiring to Hendersonville, N.C. in 1986. One last move brought Dale and Pinky back to Washington State in 2002.
Pinky loved life, had many friends, and was a devoted mother and family member. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, of 68 years; her brother Dale; and sisters Alida Vahlkamp and Eva Springer.
She leaves behind sons, Michael (Peggy) Holcomb of Tucson, AZ, Jeffrey (JoAnne) Holcomb of Branchville, N.J.; daughters, Holly (Denny) Onslow of Seattle, WA, Debra Eggleston of Sedro-Woolley, WA; seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Lorraine “Pinky” Holcomb will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012 at 10:00AM at the Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley, WA. Services are under direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
I only met her a couple of times at Decatur Island, but could never forget her down to earth charm and lovely smile.
So sorry to here this news!! I cherish a few great memories of her!!!! Robert Frambach
The Holcomb family:
Pinky was the greatest. She made everyone feel special. Pinky and Dale’s trips to Az. always brought much happiness. Sharon and I had the pleasure of taking them on a day trip traveling Az.. What fun and memories we had. They would invite us to there home. That was always high on our list of things to do but didn’t happen.
The Miller family sends its love
Holly and Family:
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. When I got the news from Holly I had to make that sad phone call to my own Mom. Margie and Pinkie have been friends for as long as I can remember, and always kept in touch. Mom told me that she had talked to Pinkie recently and Pinkie had told her that it was probably their last visit. She also said she was “ready” and wanted to “just get it over with.” That sounded like the Pinkie I remember….no non-sense, to the point! It is no wonder these two strong women remained good friends all these years. I think they got tough raising all of us kids, and then kept in contact to see how it all turned out, and to enjoy stories from the past. Pinkie and Margie sure could talk, and half the time they’d be laughing. It is a joy for me to know that my mother had a friend like Pinkie, and I know she’ll miss her.
Holly, Debbie,Mike and Jeff
Was very sad when I found out Aunt Pinky passed away. I was very fortunate to have known Aunt Pinky even though I didn’t get to spend but a few hours with her and Uncle Dale over the past 50 years. She was unforgetable and in my eyes never changed a bit from my teens to the last time I saw her a few years back. Always positive, very happy, very loving and a larger than life person. I will miss her as well as I do Uncle Dale, who too was a truly remarkable person, but will hold onto the pleasent memories I have of Aunt Pinky and Uncle Dale. Bless you Holly and Debbie for caring for her in her final days. I know it was difficult.
Love and strength to you all
Your cousin Steve
Mike, Holly, Jeff & Debbie,
My love and sincere sympathy. What a sweetheart she was – always smiling – and that wonderful laugh. As Mom used to say, ” Pinky brightened any room she walked into.” Some people have a gift for making you feel special and loved, and that was Aunt Pinky’s gift to all of us. The last few years of Mom’s life, when she was battling Alzheimer’s, she called me Pinky. What an honor. It happened so often, I didn’t correct her, as I think she really believed she was talking to Pinky. Now the three girls are together again. Can you imagine the conversation? No angel will get a word in! God’s best to you and your families. You kids were ALWAYS the center of her universe.
Dear Holly, Debbie, Mike, & Jeff:
I was so saddened to hear today of Aunt Pinky’s passing. Even knowing the time was near doesn’t remove the sting from the reality. Your mom was an extraordinary person … I grew up listening to my mom (your Aunt Eva) talk about what a wonderful sister Pinky was to her, about how loving she was, but most of all how much FUN she was to be around. While I wasn’t fortunate enough to spend lots of time with her over the years, the times we did have left wonderful memories that will last my lifetime. I felt a special connection with her which I will always treasure. She was a “great lady” in the truest sense of the phrase.
I hope you are able to find some comfort in knowing she has been lovingly greeted by Jacob, Eulah & brother Dale, as well as your dad (Dale) and her sisters Alida & Eva. Now that the three “Marcham girls” have been reunited, the Lord may have trouble getting a word in edgewise.
Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Scott Springer
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holcomb family. Aunt Pinky was dearly loved by the entire Springer family. She was a remarkable woman! We loved when she and Dale would come to Chester for visits. She had such a hearty laugh and infectious smile. She leaves us with many happy memories and an example of how to love others.
Love, Steve, Jody and Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holcomb family. Aunt Pinky was dearly loved by the entire Springer family. She was a remarkable woman! We loved when she and Dale would come to Chester for visits. She had such a hearty laugh and infectious smile. She leaves us with many happy memories and an example of how to love others. She will be fondly missed and always loved.
Love Steve, Jody and Family
I will cherish all 43 years having my Grandma “Mamaw.” She never missed a birthday, a holiday and always made me feel so very special and loved. I know that she did that will all the grandchildren. We looked up to her and loved her just like the word breaks down – a Grand Mother. She was so good and loving to my husband John and her great grandaughter, Stella Lorraine. We will miss her dearly, but are blessed to have had her in our lives for so long.
We were so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We so wanted to meet her, having grown fond of her by listening to the wonderful warmth with which you spoke of her. Your mother’s story will obviously live on through you, your family and all the people she touched.
Our prayers are with you.
Holly and family,
So sorry to hear the news. Even though I didn’t know Pinky I am a good friend of Holly’s. Holly has meant so much to me. I know this passing is quite sad for you, the family. Cherish the memories, her life and what she meant to you. Take care.
Patricia Meinzer
I have many fond memories of aunt Pinky and Uncle dale I will miss her a lot she was the last of a fantastic generation
We all cherish our memories of youth; one of mine was meeting my very good friend Holly. It was when I spent my first sleep over at Holly’s house that I knew very quickly where all her many good qualities came from. I actually remember the “aha” moment making that connection between Holly and her mother. “Pinky” was the most warm, so very welcoming, and totally “outgoing”mother. Just awesome. I’ll always remember her this way. I know the Holcomb clan has to be very thankful indeed for having had such a loving mother & grandmother. Love, Ellen (Stephens) Collins
I will miss my”Aunt Pinky” forever. She is unforgetable. She always treated me like I was special and I will always love for that and who she was.”Aunt Pinky”