Holly Anne Pence

If you ever had the honor of entering Holly's house, you would find yourself ensconced in quotes; littering her walls, fridge, thoughtful inscriptions written in her beautiful handwriting on pieces of scrap paper and open notebooks. She was a woman who loved words, poignant thoughts that reflected the world she wanted to live in, a world that had more patience and understanding for one another.

Holly Anne Brown Spickard Pence passed away on Thursday morning, October 24, 2024. She was born on June 23, 1954 in Newport Beach, CA and moved to Albuquerque, NM in 1961, where she wove herself into the fabric of Albuquerque's unique and vibrant culture. She was a student first, torn between Anthropology and Education, having almost received a degree in the former because humanity was at the core of what she cared about. Holly became a teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools in 1976 where she taught for forty-two years; twenty-six at Monte Vista Elementary with a three-year stint at the University of New Mexico as a Clinical Supervisor.

She had an extraordinary gift with children. She set aside preconceived notions of who they were supposed to be and met them where they were; championing them to be the best version of themselves. She believed children are the world’s most precious gift, and her life embodied that conviction. She was a writer, a poet, an activist, and an advocate. Holly and her best friend Shelley Moore Thomas founded the Rio Grande Writers Project that ran in the summers at UNM in the 1990s. She marched for Teachers in Washington D.C. in 2011, canvassed and campaigned for local politicians, and attended rallies and events for those not fairly represented.

She married once, giving her two daughters, Bailey and Carri, who gave her a new understanding of what love was and could mean. Her love expanded and grew even further when Carri and her husband, Ryan, welcomed Raylan and Everett into the world. Holly used to say that she didn't think she had more love to give, that the ones she loved already filled her heart to capacity, but Raylan and Everett made it swell. Through all the titles that she was bestowed, her proudest ones were mother and grandmother. As a mother, she strived to nurture two strong, independent, and dynamic daughters. As a grandmother, she created a magical world for her grandchildren—a place filled with creativity, wonder, and warmth.

Holly taught us to love ourselves and in doing that we learned better how to love others. We will forever miss her; her laugh, her touch, her kindness, and her being.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lyman and Mary Brown; parents, Harold and Anne Spickard. She is survived by her daughters, Bailey and husband, Ian Scroggins, and Carri and husband, Ryan Holler; and grandchildren, Raylan and Everett Holler.

 A visitation will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at FRENCH-University. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, 2:00 p.m., at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 431 Richmond Pl. NE.