Holly Lou (Whitney) Golden

Holly Lou (Whitney) Golden. Holly left us to be with God on Friday March 1st 2024. She passed away at Eastern Maine Medical Center from complications after heart surgery. Holly was born in Skowhegan on October 4th 1951. The 4th of 7 children born to Leslie and Bertha Whitney. Her early childhood was spent in Bingham. At age 5 Holly and her family moved to Solon where her family owned and operated a dairy farm. Life on the farm could be hard and Holly often recounted with pride how she and her siblings did the barn chores, got the firewood in, hand carried water, and looked after the cows. They later moved to another farm in South Solon and eventually to a home in town Solon.

Holly was educated at the Solon School and graduated in the first class of the then new Carrabec High School. After graduation Holly worked at a shoe factory, a lumber mill, and lived for a time in Bangor while working at a knitting mill in Brewer. In 1974 Holly met the love of her life Mike Golden from Bingham. They were married on May 22nd 1976 in Solon. Mike and Holly had one son, Michael II, and lived for a while with Holly’s mom Bertha where Holly provided in home child care for several children, while Mike, with the help of family and friends, built their new home on the Drury Rd. in Solon. After they moved into their new home in 1979, Holly continued to care for several neighborhood children. Holly truly loved children of all ages, but the babies were her favorites. As their son Michael became older, Holly began her final and favorite chapter in her working career. She worked as a cook at Solon’s local convenience stores. Holly loved to cook and she loved to interact with the customers. Holly took great pride in her cooking. If it didn’t meet her standards, she wouldn’t serve it. Sometimes to the chagrin of her boss. She was well known for her pizzas and meals. After suffering a stroke in 2018 Holly was forced to end her career as a cook for the public. But she continued to make outstanding meals, cookies, cakes, and sweets for her family. Holly loved to garden and work in her flower gardens. She especially liked to pick berries and turn them into delicious jams and jellies for all to enjoy. At times it was hard to get her to stop picking as she found “a great patch” she just couldn’t leave behind. Holly loved to shop. As a frugal shopper, nothing pleased her more than to find a bargain at a lawn sale, thrift store, or Mardens. Holly was known to her family as “a bit stubborn” but also a wonderful, generous, giving person with a huge heart.

Holly was predeceased by her parents. She leaves behind Mike, her loving husband of 47 years, son, Michael, daughter in-law Alicia, her wonderful grandchildren, who brought so much joy, pride, and love into her life. grandson Reid, granddaughters, Charlie and Emerson. She also leaves behind her siblings Ann Padham of Madison, Brian Whitney of Anson, Brenda Padham (Reggie)of Embden, Linda Steward (Ross) of Skowhegan, Beth Orr (Harley) of Solon and Ellen Manzer (Jerry) of Solon. As well as many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins who have been so very supportive during her illness.

Words can hardly express how grateful the family is for the outstanding kindness, compassion and care the doctors and nurses in the critical care unit of EMMC provided during Holly’s last days with us. Thank You All So Much!!!

Her funeral will be held at the Solon Congregational Church in Solon (postponed due to weather). to be followed by a gathering of family and friends at the Solon Fire Station at 1:00 p.m. A private graveside ceremony will be held at the Robinson cemetery in Moscow in the spring. The date and time to be announced later.

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