Marion Arden Holland, who died on 21 January 2004, had lived in Chipperfield for most of her life. She was born at Chapelfields Farm, Olton, Warwickshire on 27 June 1909 to Edith and James Powell. She was educated at a convent school in Olton and later at a girls school in Brighton. When the family moved to Birmingham she attended the Birmingham School of Art.
In 1932 Marion married her teenage sweetheart, Sydney Holland and after travelling around the country in connection with his work for Averys Scales, they arrived in Chipperfield in 1940. Initially they had rooms at Doggets in Belsize and then rented Red Admiral on The Common. In 1943 they acquired and moved in to the house next door, The Haven.
Like most women of her generation, Marion stayed at home, looking after the house and taking care of her three young daughters. She found time to take part in village life and sang with Chipperfield Choral Society for many years. She was President of the Ladies Cricket Association and acted in many of the outstanding Womens Institute Drama Group productions produced by Elizabeth Weedon. During these years she made many long-lasting friendships.
Sadly, her husband Sydney died in January 1989 and in 1996 Marion had to suffer the tragic loss of her youngest daughter, Ruth, who was killed in the Watford train crash. The rest of the family, Sara, Mary, Harry, Derek and Clive strove to support her but her last years were marred by sadness and distressing short-term memory loss.
Marion Holland will be remembered and greatly missed by her family and friends for her welcoming smile, sense of fun and sparkling blue eyes. To the end she enjoyed the view across The Common and retained her love of nature – trees, birds, cats and flowers, especially her beloved roses.