Charlotte T. Holland

Charlotte Thornton Holland, born January 10, 1942 in Hyattsville, Maryland, died after a long illness on December 29, 2020, in Baltimore.  She was resident of Charlestown Senior Living Community in Catonsville at the time of her death.  

Charlotte held a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a Master of Library Science degree, both from the University of Maryland College Park.  She began her long career in public health with the Prince George’s County health department and subsequently held several senior positions in the environmental programs of the Maryland Department of Health in Baltimore.  She worked primarily in the field of water safety and sanitation, and was well known by professionals across the state.  Throughout her career she received numerous commendations, including  special recognition from Governor Harry Hughes for her remarkable success in budgetary discipline over the years.  She retired in 1995.

For at least a quarter century she pursued her dedication to historical preservation and writing through her work with Historic Ellicott City, Inc., founded in 1974, where she served as President, worked continuously with the popular Decorator Show House events, and was a major player in working through an agreement regarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Terminal Museum.   During that period she and Janet P. Kusterer prepared the 2003 updated edition of Ellicott City, Maryland: Mill Town, U.S.A. by Celia M. Holland, Charlotte’s mother, published by Historic Ellicott City, Inc.  Earlier she worked extensively with her brother, Jim, on her mother’s Old Homes and Families of Howard County, Maryland, 1987.  And, finally, on her own, in 2011 Charlotte wrote and published The Genealogy of Amos & Celia Holland, a limited edition of 100 copies intended for family descendants, present and future, now a rare title. 

Charlotte’s interests spanned a wide universe ranging from baseball to classical music to history.  As a young girl she was an avid fan of the great Washington Senators’ hitter and outfielder, Gil Coan, with whom she exchanged occasional letters over many years.  In fact Coan and his wife later invited Charlotte to visit them at their lovely farm in North Carolina.  Similarly her 1965 letter to President Eisenhower concerning his reflections at Winston Churchill’s funeral prompted the former president to respond appreciatively, enclosing his own carbon copy of those remarks made in London.  In politics Charlotte was very active as a Howard County Republican during Ronald Reagan’s campaigns.    

Charlotte loved music and in her retirement became a serious student of the classical masters.  She was often a volunteer with the Baltimore Sympathy Orchestra and came to enjoy a close association with several of its conductors.  She was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City where she found spiritual nourishment, served on the Altar Guild, and participated in other programs.

Above all, “Aunt Charlotte” was a tireless friend and supporter of a large fraternity of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.  Somehow she managed to follow their lives individually, attend their birthday parties and sit through their endless games, and more.  She loved them all and that was a mutual reality.

Charlotte was predeceased by her parents Amos T. and Celia M. Holland and by her brother, William D. O’Brien and his wife Janet.  She is survived by four brothers: James C. Holland and his wife Mary, Nicholas H. Holland and his wife Marjorie, Charles T. Holland and his wife Mary Jo, G. F. J. O’Brien and his wife Sylvie; by nieces and nephews: Nancy Thyson and her husband John, Sue Fox and her husband Paul, Robert O’Brien and his wife Robin, David C. Holland and his wife Jenny, Patrick J. Holland and his wife Heidi, Elise Nail and her husband Charles, Christopher G. Holland, and Ginny Waire and her husband Tim; by numerous great  nieces and great nephews, and by many long-time friends, including Amy Holland of Ellicott City MD, and Diane Steele of Southern Pines, NC. 

Funeral service and interment are private.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Nancy Thyson, 7502 Roxbury Avenue, Manassas, VA 20109.  Memorial gifts may be sent to: Historic Ellicott City, Inc., P. O. Box 244, Ellicott City MD 21041;  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Inc., 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore MD 21201; and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City.

  St. John’s will be live streaming    Charlotte’s funeral service at 11:00am You can watch it by copying this link into your browser.        https://youtu.be/_976Rn-w3tU

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STREAM WILL NOT BE BROADCAST UNTIL A COUPLE OF MINUTES PRIOR TO 11:00am

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charlotte T. Holland, please visit our floral store.