Margaret Holihan Wadsworth, a loving, generous, and funny wife, mother, Gramma, and friend, passed away on June 2, 2025. Holly is survived by her daughter Rachelle, a history professor; her son, Trad, a head and neck cancer surgeon; granddaughter, Kristin; grandson, William; and sister, Fran Croslyn.
Born December 6, 1941 to Daniel Carter and Edna Fulton, Holly graduated from Andrew Jackson High School before working many years at the Florida State Department of Employment (FSES) both in Tallahassee and Jacksonville. After rearing her children, she returned to the workforce, becoming an executive secretary at State Farm Insurance. From 1974-1977, she served in the Lakewood San Jose Junior Woman’s Club, which she ran as president from 1976-1977. Rising through the ranks of the insurance world, she returned to education and graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Florida with a bachelor of arts degree in 1988. She then went on to become the Southeast region lead for State Farm Insurance Flood Division. When the company decided to close its local offices to move to Winter Haven, Holly chose to retire early where she took up golf—a sport she loved to play for the next 30 years.
Holly thrived on competition, whether it be participation in local golf tournaments, bridge games, crosswords, or her beloved Sudoku. She also loved to travel, and enjoyed a world cruise in 2011 with the love of her life, Jeff, with whom she enjoyed 59+ years of marriage. A true Southern Belle, Holly often considered herself an introvert, but her friends and family knew how she loved to throw the occasional themed-party (“dinner in Thailand;” “ladies-only Valentine’s”), and despite her loath for cooking, always baked Christmas wreath candy, and cashew-cranberry bars every year—both of which were always fought over!
Loved and adored by many, Holly enjoyed life to the fullest. To honor her memory, the family will host a Celebration of Life on Saturday, July 26, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Egret Hall at Cypress Village. Please RSVP to hrwadsworth@gmail.com no later than July 24th.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Holly please send donations to the ASPCA, Alzheimer’s research, or your charity of choice.
