Gladys M. Holt, 94, died peacefully on October 30, 2025, after a long decline with dementia.
A
long-time resident of Cameron County, Gladys, in recent years, stayed with family, first in
Clarion, PA then Fleetwood, PA, and then in June 2024, Gladys moved into Brethren Village in
Lititz, PA.
She was born Gladys Mae Hill on July 4, 1931 in Derry, PA to Alice T. Hill and Edward Hill, into a
large boisterous family, being one of eight children. Because of her birthday being on
Independence Day, her dad, Edward, who worked as a coal miner in Indiana County, called
Gladys 'his little firecracker' and the nickname was apt throughout her long life.
Gladys graduated near the top of her class in 1949 from Homer City High School in Indiana
County. In 1952, she moved to Emporium, PA for employment at Sylvania where she later met
Edmund N. Holt, a life-long resident of Cameron County. The couple married in 1956 and made
their home in West Creek. They enjoyed a full life together, building their own house, raising
six kids and various pets, forming many friendships, and pursuing outdoor adventures, until
Ed's death in 2011.
An accomplished and frugal homemaker, Gladys could stretch a penny into a quarter and was
known for her delicious home-baked bread and cinnamon rolls. She always had homemade
raisin-filled cookies or blueberry buckle tucked away in the freezer, ready to pull out to serve
her family, many friends or even a good number of strangers who found themselves at her
hospitable home. Gladys enjoyed playing cards and board games with her kids, and later
grandkids, and she was especially hard to beat at Scrabble. Gladys enjoyed the outdoors--
cultivating flower and vegetable gardens and feeding and rescuing wildlife. A member of the
United Methodist Church in Emporium, Gladys took an active part in the Deborah Circle for
many years and formed many friendships.
In addition to her husband, Gladys was predeceased by her parents, five siblings, Alice
Vanderhoof (George), Don Hill (Lavinia), James Hill, John Hill (Ellen) and Martha West (Gene),
as well as an infant sibling and an infant granddaughter.
Gladys is survived by her six children
and their spouses: Catherine Holt (Curt Foltz), Edmund Holt, II (Deb), Toni Momose (Craig),
Alison Holt-Kalish (Scott Kalish), Heather Larry (Dave) and Benjamin Holt (Renee), 17
grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, one sibling, Paul Hill (Pam), a sister-in-law, Delores Hill,
and many nieces and nephews.
In keeping with Gladys's wishes, cremation has taken place, and interment will be at Moore Hill Cemetery, Emporium, PA.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 1pm for a Memorial Service at Endless Mountain Methodist Church, 306 S. Spruce St in Emporium, with a luncheon to follow.
Memorial donations in Gladys's name can be made to the Centre Wildlife Care, centrewildlifecare.org.
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