Marguerite (Parker) Hollis, 100, of Bloomfield, died Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Governors House in Simsbury. She was born December 1, 1917 in Yorkshire, England, daughter of the late William Henry and Jane (Evans) Keyte and had lived in Bloomfield for many years prior to moving to Simsbury.
Marguerite loved nothing more than spending time with her family. She was a fixture in their lives – always present for Christmas Eve drives where she marveled at the gaudiest decorations and had her keys out miles before home. She hosted countless sleepovers for her grandchildren, teaching them card games and preparing egg and soldiers for breakfast. She had a cheeky sense of humor, and was known to make doctors blush. Marguerite was fiercely independent, and maintained her own apartment well into her nineties, loved by her neighbors and others in the community. She always had an “alright, m’duck?”, “pigeon”, or “pet” for those she was particularly fond of. She lives on in her family’s memories of trips to the local book sale and her favorite pizza place, and for her love of cooking, albeit with sometimes inventive substitutions. Marguerite was an avid pen pal, and her family will cherish the letters she sent so often and with so much love.
She is survived by her daughter Amanda Hollis Johnson, her son Wayne Jeffrey Hollis, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, 8 devoted grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and her sister Sylvia South. We are grateful to her beloved family across the UK who were instrumental in obtaining Marguerite’s coveted 100th birthday card from the Queen. She was predeceased by her son Martin Hollis, her former husband Frederick Leonard Hollis, and grandson Benjamin Hollis.
There are no calling hours and a celebration of her life will be held privately by her family. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Marguerite’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.