It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of Joan Merritt Holmes mourn her passing on Dec. 5, 2022 in Naples, Fla.
She was born and raised in Wabash, Ind.; daughter of J. Bruce and Helen Fudge Merritt; devoted wife of 67 years to the late Thomas Arthur Holmes (1923-2019), former CEO of Ingersoll Rand Company.
Recalling her with wonderful memories, immense love and gratitude are surviving four children: Nanne Holmes of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Bruce Holmes of Spring Lake, N.J.; John Holmes of New Hope, Pa.; and Susan Eelman of Naples, Fla., and their families; 13 precious grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren (affectionately know to them as JoJo); a brother, Frank Merritt who predeceased her; a brother-in-law, Dr. G. Burtt Holmes and his wife, Ruth; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Joan graduated from Indiana University with a business degree, and she was a founding partner in the Alpha Phi Sorority. After college she was employed by Proctor and Gamble in the marketing department and traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada; and on a business trip to St. Louis, Mo., met her future husband, Tom. After a whirlwind courtship they were married in Wabash, Ind., on March 15, 1952. While raising their four children, Joan and Tom lived in Shrewsbury, Mass.; Upper Montclair, N.J.; Glastonbury, Conn.; Riegelsville, Pa.; Bedminster, N.J.; Greenwich, Conn., and New Hope, Pa., before moving to Naples, Fla. And to say she was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be an understatement. They cherished their time with JoJo in Nantucket, Mass.; at the farm in New Hope, Pa.; and in Naples, Fla.
Joan was a generous philanthropist and, together with her late husband, established several foundations to help many people, students, and charities. These included The Thomas A. and Joan M. Holmes Foundation; the J. Bruce and Helen F. Merritt Scholarship in the Herman B. Wells Scholars Program at Indiana University; the Thomas A. and Joan M. Holmes Scholarship and the Thomas and Joan Holmes Endowment at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo.
Throughout her lifetime, Joan continued with her great love for art. She loved to paint in her studios in Siasconset on Nantucket Island, Mass., and New Hope, Pa., and Joan exhibited her work in several art shows in Lambertville, N.J., and at The Honeywell Center in her hometown of Wabash, Ind. In her earlier life, Joan also loved to dance.
Joan will be remembered for her love of family, generosity, and friendliness. She lived life with integrity, calm and kindness. She was a blessing to all her family and appreciated for the heritage of faith she left behind. Joan will be sorely missed by all who knew her, especially her family to whom she was very dedicated. Preceded in death by her husband, Tom, it brings her family immense comfort to know she is reunited with her one true love.
There was a viewing at the Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34109 (https://www.fullernaples.com), Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. A service will be held in New Hope, Pa., on Jan. 9, 2023 for family and friends. Details will be forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Naples Botanical Gardens, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112 (https://www.naplesgarden.org). The Honeywell House, 720 North Wabash Street, Wabash, IN 46992 (https://www.honeywellarts.org/honeywell-house.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
