Blanche A. Holland's Obituary
Blanche Alyda Faye Holland, 75, passed away peacefully at 9:30am on August 23rd, 2023. She was born in Belmont, ECD Guyana to the parents of Orley Garrett and Gwendolyn Warner. She was raised in Georgetown, Guyana along with her siblings Joan Daniels, Reuben Garrett, Donald Garrett, Dyreck Garrett and Junior Forbes Garrett. She was very active as a young girl. She lived a simple life with her family in Guyana where she met Mark Azeez working at Bookers Department Store in 1968. Shortly after meeting Mark they decided to move to the U.S.
After Mark was established in the states he sent for Blanche. She moved to the U.S. in late 1969 where she lived with Mark in Hollywood, CA. They eventually got married in Las Vegas in mid-1970. In late 1970 they moved to New York because she wanted to be closer to her family in preparation for the birth of her first child. She gave birth to her first-born Zena Azeez in February 1971. They stayed in New York for 6 months longer before moving back to Los Angeles, CA. There they later gave birth to their second child Jinnah Azeez in 1974.
Eventually Blanche moved to San Diego in 1976 with her 2 young children. She worked for NBC News station in the accounting department for over 20 years. She then met Don Holland where they eventually got married and built a life together. Blanche later sent for her father and niece LaToya to come live with her in San Diego, CA. In time Blanche and Don adopted LaToya in 1998. Blanche loved to entertain, and she had fish fry’s, in the neighborhood on the weekends. After divorcing Don, Blanche spent a lot of time working with the Youth Ministries in San Diego. She helped with the yearly Christmas pageants, fall festivals as well as various other youth events. Blanche was fortunate to be a part of a youth ministry trip back to her home country of Guyana in 2002 with Pastor Rick Schowalter and LaToya. She was so excited to show the kids where she grew up and the beautiful country of Guyana. Over the years Blanche’s health started to decline and she retired from work in 1999. She dedicated more of her time to various church activities as well as spending time with her grandchildren.
Blanche is survived by her children Zena Azeez, Jinnah Azeez and LaToya Freeman, as well as her 6 grandchildren Erica Azeez-Blair, Eric Azeez-Blair, Sealyn Domingo-Azeez, Preston Freeman, Carter Freeman, and Riley Freeman.
We are all going to miss her. As we mourn the passing of her body here on earth, we know her spirit is looking down upon us. Blanche wouldn’t want anyone to be sad for her but to celebrate the times you spent with her. She really enjoyed each and every one of your company.
Ma, we love you and will miss you, but we will NEVER forget you!!!!
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