Obituary of Barbara Holava

Our beloved mother, Barbara Clarke Holava, 84, of Syracuse NY passed away on Jan 9th 2025

peacefully at home surrounded by her children and grand dog at her side.She was born and

lived in the Valley most of her life having lived in LIverpool for 20 yrs where she raised her 3

kids. She was the only child of Harold & Frances Clarke.She graduated from Onondaga Valley

Academy in 1958 after she studied at business school. After 15 yrs she retired as a relay

operator from CSD Relay services for the deaf. She also worked at Catholic Charities for over

10 yrs in the foster care program where she became an active foster mother herself to 3 sons.

She worked at Gaffney Communications for several years as a secretary to the owner. She also

worked for Onondaga County for many yrs.in child protective services.

Barb was an avid volunteer being an internal-vice president of the Syracuse Jaycettes, she

drove for F.I.S.H. driving elderly around in the 70’s, several tasks at WCNY Teluc Auction

fundraiser, (10 yrs) she was active in both the Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts. She loved ushering at

the Landmark Theater allowing her to enjoy all the shows & acts free. Lastly she was an active

member in the Red Hats Society. Barbara attended Believers Chapel Church for 30 yrs being

involved in bible study & helping with outside activities that involved the church.

Barbara loved to celebrate all holidays dressing & decorating for each occasion.

She had annual Mardi Gras parties & loved to attend festivals all over NY where she

enjoyed food, music & dancing with loved ones. She was a HUGE Elvis fan. She

enjoyed writing short stories & reading. Barb had a big love for crafting esp egg

decorating in her early years as well as roller skating spending many saturday

afternoons teaching her daughter. Mostly she loved spending time with her kids,

grandkids and great grandkids going apple picking or to festivals. She will be

remembered greatly by her smile, sense of humor, generosity, kindness & the love

she gave to everyone in her life. She was an amazing mother to her kids as well as

a true friend to many.

She is survived by her sons, Scott Holava,and Craig Holava and daughter, Stacy Holava Lehrer and

foster sons; Minh Tran (Kieumy) Toan Ly (Huong) and Phouc (Mylien) Nguyen. Also 12

grandchildren & 3 great grandkids, several nieces and nephews. Lastly her grand dog Luca.

She was predeceased by her long time companion Frank Bacon, her father Harold Clarke and

mother Frances Clarke also her cat Little White Feather.

Services will be held January 25, 2025 at Believer Chapel 7912 Thompson Road, Cicero, NY13039.

Calling hours will be that morning from 10am-12pm with a service at noon in the chapel. 

Instead of Flowers, Donations can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at www.hdsa.org

Thank you to Hollis Funeral Home for facilitating.