Patricia Holland Death – Patricia Holland, the beloved wife of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and a former counselor in the Young Women General Presidency for the Church, has passed away. She will be dearly missed and remembered for her significant contributions to the faith community. Sister Patricia Terry Holland died at 81 on Thursday after a brief hospitalization. She was announced dead by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Patricia (Pat) Terry was born on February 16, 1942, and grew up on a farm in Enterprise, a small town in southern Utah established by pioneers. Pat is Maeser and Marilla Terry’s offspring. She grew up hearing about her pioneer progenitors’ strong convictions and faith, which influenced her throughout her life.
Her family moved to the nearby community of St. George, Utah, at the beginning of her high school years, and as a self-described shy and less-than-confident newcomer to Dixie High, she soon extended her charitable nature and made many new friends. One of these friends was Jeffrey Holland, “the most handsome boy in school,” whom she dated, corresponded with during his mission to England and married on June 7, 1963, in the St. George Utah Temple after a five-year courtship.
Matthew, Mary Alice, and David are their three offspring, and they have thirteen grandchildren. Pat attended LDS Business College (renamed Ensign College) in Salt Lake City and Dixie College (now known as Utah Tech University) in St. George, Utah, graduating from both institutions. She received piano and vocal instruction from Julliard instructors in New York City.
She assisted Jeffrey as he pursued advanced degrees at Brigham Young University and Yale and worked for the Church Educational System. The Holland children were raised in the financial constraints of graduate school, frequently relocating to facilitate their father’s new employment. In 1980, Elder Holland was called to be the president of Brigham Young University, bringing them into the public eye.
Pat devoted her entire life to serving in the Church, holding the position of Relief Society president four times and actively participating in the Primary and Young Women organizations. In 1984, despite juggling numerous responsibilities as the wife of a university president, she humbly accepted the calling to serve as a counselor to Ardeth Kapp in the Young Women’s General Presidency. She always managed to find moments of tranquillity to draw closer to God through heartfelt prayers.
The family will release an obituary and funeral arrangements for Patricia Holland.
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