Nancy Kent Holden
Published 3:16 pm Monday, August 17, 2015
Nancy Kent Holden, age 92, passed away in Vermont on Aug. 12, 2015. Nan, the oldest of three siblings, was born in Bronxville, N.Y. to Rockwell and Dorothy Kent. She married Herbert Holden, Jr. in 1945 and had four children, Sandra, Christine, John Kent, and Marcia. She raised her children, a succession of dogs, a few horses and her husband in Chappaqua, N.Y. Nan and Herb retired in 1981 to Columbus, N.C. Herb predeceased her in 2010 and Nan relocated to Vermont in the fall of 2014.
Never one to sit still, Nan was an avid horsewoman, riding with the Tryon Hounds Hilltoppers, skiing with her family in Colorado, playing golf at Red Fox Country Club, and hiking with a loyal group of hikers. She paid it forward by volunteering with the Foothills Humane Society, was a founding member and past president of the Foothills Equestrian Trails Association (FETA) and spent over 30 years with the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
She loved walking her dogs, needle pointing, cooking, and was a Master Gardener. She was an avid sports fan which included a 60 year love/hate relationship with the New York Giants football.
She is survived by her children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Contributions in her honor may be sent to: Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (260 Fairwinds Road, PO Box 127 Landrum, SC 29356), the Foothills Humane Society (PO Box 126, Tryon, N.C. 28782) or Foothills Equestrian Trails Association (PO Box 1453, Columbus, NC 28722). There will be a celebration of her life in November in North Carolina.