Holland Marich

“A GOOD NAME IS BETTER THAN FINE PERFUME” Ecclesiastes 7:1

Holland Delene Boydstun Marich was born at home in 1935 in the small town of Caddo, Oklahoma. She was raised in Caddo, lived briefly in California and Wisconsin, and then she and her husband Ronald moved to Texas and raised their family of six girls in Grand Prairie and Arlington. Holland’s lifelong desire was to be able to live at home, and with the help of family, she was able to do just that. On June 30, 2025, at the age of ninety, she left the home she loved and went to be with her Lord and Savior.

Holland was the first child of Houston and Doris Boydstun and big sister to siblings Houstine, George and Virginia. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Rosa Holland Kennedy, and her paternal aunt, Delene Fauchier, whose own name was a derivative of Mary Magdalene. Hers truly has been a good, good name, and she has been honored with having several people named for her including daughter Rikki Delene, niece Holly Ann and granddaughter Kennedy Holland.

At the age of nineteen, Holland was visiting a friend in Wichita Falls and happened to meet Helen Marich. Helen immediately introduced Holland to her son Ronald, who was in the Air Force. Holland had to go back home but soon after, Ron called Caddo’s city hall to see if anyone happened to know of a Holland Boydstun. Very soon afterward, Ron and Holland married, and they went on to celebrate 68 years of marriage before his passing in 2023.

“WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART AS WORKING FOR THE LORD.” Colossians 3:23

Early in life, Holland thought she might be a missionary. Actually, it seems that that desire was granted but not in the way she thought. Her mission was in the “home fields” and she sowed seeds of her faith as she served family, friends, neighbors and strangers 24-7. She was a homemaker, gardener, and listening ear; a Sunday school and vacation Bible school teacher; nursery worker and school room mother; a Camp Fire leader, babysitter, March of Dimes collector and blood donor; a drill team-cheerleader-soccer-choir-dance mom and an enthusiastic school program-recital-and-parade spectator/supporter for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and for other family members, neighbors and friends as well.

“WHOEVER WELCOMES ONE OF THESE LITTLE CHILDREN IN MY NAME WELCOMES ME; AND WHOEVER WELCOMES ME DOES NOT WELCOME ME BUT THE ONE WHO SENT ME.” Mark 9:37

Holland loved children–all children, not just her own. Her love for children first became evident with her relationship with her siblings who lovingly call her their other mother. She adored and prayed especially for her nieces and nephews and was a fun and faithful aunt, allowing them to come and stay the night or a week, whatever their parents needed. From fragile preemie twins to rowdy grade-school grandsons, from heart-broken adolescent girls to sometimes smart-mouthed teens, she loved children. Her love of kids had her take children to and from school for more than 50 years. She ALWAYS said it was no trouble and that she loved hearing about their day and listening to whatever they had to say, or even not say, if quiet was what they needed.

Recently, her health was deteriorating, and she was in the hospital. For hours, she hadn’t opened her eyes or spoken with the little ability she had left. A daughter came to visit, talked to her, nudged her a little and then held up a picture of her youngest great-grandchild, 14-month-old, Raelynn. What did Nana do? She opened her eyes, grinned and said, “Oh look! Isn’t she cute?” Children always sparked joy. That never changed.

Our precious mother did not like attention to be on her. She was humble, gracious, forgiving and kind, but also tough and steadfast. She was the photographer who loved purple and buying presents for her family. She was a preacher’s kid, a follower of Jesus and a prayer warrior.

Holland, the one with the “good name” now knows the rest of the verse firsthand:

“AND THE DAY OF DEATH BETTER THAN THE DAY OF BIRTH” Ecclesiastes 7:1

In closing, Holland, Mom, Nana, would probably want those left behind to know the following:

Her favorite verses were,

“Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 1 John 1:4

Holland is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Marich; parents, Houston and Doris Boydstun; son-in-law, Tommy Sneed; brothers-in-law, Von Weaver, Tommy Higle and nephew, Kevin Weaver;

Those left to celebrate Holland’s life are her daughters, Teri Marich, Traci Sneed, Toni Bush, Tiffani Marich, Ronni Marich, Rikki Wade and husband Sean; sisters, Houstine Weaver and Virginia Higle; brother, George Boydstun; grandchildren, Benjamin Louis, Jacob Louis, Jeremiah Louis and wife Lupe, Lindy Marich, Zachary Sneed, Casey Sneed and wife Sarah, Samuel Marich; great-grandchildren, Abigail and Isaiah Marich: Kennedy, Alexander and Scarlett Wade: Ayden and Hunter Torres: Lakota Marich-Melendez: Tobias Marich: Matilda and Raelynn Sneed: Kaine, Anabella, Emmalyn and Penelope Louis: Olivia Louis; as well as many more nieces, nephews and family members who loved her.

Those who wish to remember our mother Holland (or Holly) in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Children’s or Missions Ministries of Matthew Road Baptist Church (by mail to 4601 Matthew Rd, Grand Prairie TX 75052 or by Zelle at finance@matthewroad.org).