Frances Goldsmith Holt's Obituary
Frances Goldsmith Holt was a beloved mother, grandmother, life partner, sister, dear friend and aunt, a master educator and an intrepid traveler. She died April 26, 2016, in the home she loved, just as she wished. During her 30 year education career, “Fran” created the Distributive Education program (DECA) at Amphitheater High School, specializing in fashion merchandizing, sending thousands of well-trained retail students into the world. She explored 6 continents, was one of the first Westerners to visit “Red” China in the 1970s, traveled the Soviet Union by rail in the 1980s, and was still itching to see the world up to the very end. Judaism framed her core values: she was utterly trustworthy, faithful and generous. Fran is preceded in death by her son, John; parents, Harry and Frieda Goldsmith; and life partner Robert (Nick) Nixon. She is survived by her loving children, Mark and Alison; grandchildren Alexandra and Nathaniel; sister, Joanne Schwarz (Marvin), step-son Rob Nixon (Kim); and loving friends Francine Trotter, Guadalupe Mendoza, Ann Sapp, and Corkie Schellie, among many others, as well as nieces, nephews and their children upon whom she doted. A graveside service will be held at the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery at 10 AM on April 28. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to EON Youth Lounge at Southern Arizona AIDS Foundations.
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