Anastasia Moss Holmes

Anastasia Moss Holmes, of Washington, DC, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Brookdale Woodward Estate at the age of 93. A native Washingtonian, she was born on April 15, 1925 to Alfred and Zita Hortense Moss.  She was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 41 years, John McDougald “Mackie” Holmes, six sisters: Helen Edmead, Zita Mason, Marie Smith, Dorothy Hansborough, Regina Curry, Dolores Morris and four brothers: Alfred, Andrew, John and Charles Moss.

Stasia leaves behind a devoted family including her daughter Linda Newton and son-in-law Charles of Providence, RI and daughter Johanne Greer of Annapolis, MD. She had three grandchildren: Marc Newton and wife Nejat, Lorraine Lalli and husband Brian and Jay Greer. She enjoyed the love of five great-grandchildren: John and Serena Lalli, Nasir and Bella Newton and Janiyah Crosby. For Stasia, family was always her priority.  She took pride in being a “Moss” and loved the company of her extended family of nieces and nephews.

Stasia was a graduate of Dunbar High School where she made many lifelong friends. She attended Miner Teachers College and earned her Master in Library Science degree from Catholic University. She worked as a librarian at the National Library of Medicine and Howard University before joining DC Public Schools as a teacher and school librarian. She retired early to enjoy her summers in Annapolis at Highland Beach with Mackie and the grandchildren.

A devout Catholic, she was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, DC where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and frequent volunteer. 

She was a world traveler and her home reflected the influences of her visits to China, Brazil, Greece, Italy and France.  She especially loved her trips to St. Thomas with the “Sapphire Girls.” Stasia was active in DC social circles and enjoyed club meetings and bridge parties with her friends from the Six of Hearts, the Roaring Twenties, the Gems, Jack and Jill and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Everyone looked forward to times when she hosted at the Holmes cottage at “the Beach.”

Stasia lived the last years of her life at Brookdale Woodward Estates in Bowie, MD.  The family is deeply appreciative of the warmth and care of staff and residents.

Stasia was a strong and beautiful woman inside and out.  Her smile, dimples and all, lit up the room. She will be missed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anastasia Moss Holmes, please visit our floral store.