Holly Gordon, 72, of Jacksonville FL, died peacefully of natural causes at UF Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, with her husband by her side on March 2nd.
She was born in February of 1949 to Terrell Heflin and Marvel Heflin in Haynesville, LA. She married David Gordon in March of 1985.
Holly had an unsinkable spirit, glowing tenacity and Southern charm. Admired for her ability to solve problems, she was exceptional at everything she tried to do.
Coming from an Airforce family, she liked sharing memories of her time living in Okinawa, Japan and Burnham Market, England as a child.
When she was a young mother with two children, Holly set her sights on making a home for her family. With experience as a Real Estate agent, she started on her first house in Madison, Ohio. From there she found skill as a remodeler; buying and rehabbing 9 “fixer-upper” houses and turning them into beautiful homes across Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey and finally in Jacksonville, FL. Side by side with her husband Dave, she would draft plans, build framing, do the finishing and interior decorating, while he would manage wiring and plumbing. Her family has fond memories of her in a huge tool belt, balancing lumber on a circular saw, with her blond hair in a bun and glasses on the tip of her nose.
In her spare time she was an avid gardener and took pride in rescuing dying plants from hardware stores. She also enjoyed painting, antiquing, and her favorite weekend activities; flea markets and “Saling” at yard sales. Holly was a sun lover; spending as much time in the rays as she could, but never forgot to bring her sun hat and a nice styrofoam cup of iced tea. She found her place in Florida, and would enjoy summer days reading on Fernandina Beach.
Holly was a committed person; she didn’t just tell her friends and family she loved them, she would show it with amazing cooking, an occasional tiling project, and driving all over the country to visit and keep connected. Her family extended to the Hippelys, relatives of her former husband, whom she delighted in keeping contact with.
Surviving are her husband Dave, her children Tim Hippely and his wife Jessica (their sons Gavin and Cullen Dewey). Her daughter Jennifer Hippely, and partner David Walker and their Son Julian. She will be missed by her loving family; sisters Kay Duquette and Lisa Holden of Baltimore, MD, Shayla Heflin of NC, and her Brother Bucky Heflin of Asheville, NC. She will also be missed by her Gordon family of in-laws, whom she enjoyed visiting in Butler, PA.
She is predeceased by her Parents, and sister Nessie Orange of OK and niece Brandee Hare.
Final arrangements are under the care of Fraser Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL. Due to the current pandemic, a private visitation was held for the family but no other services will be held at this time. A memorial event is anticipated with friends and family in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, which Holly liked to contribute.
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Myrna & Joel Gordon (Sisterinlaw & Brotherin law)
October 13, 2022, 8:09 am
We always enjoyed our visits with Holly & Dave & only wished we lived closer so we could have visited more often. We were so sad to hear that Holly passed & we are going to miss her.
Lois and Randy Wolford
December 8, 2023, 6:42 pm
Dave, we are so sorry to hear of Holly’s passing. We so enjoyed our visits with you both. Holly was talented and fun to be around. She will be missed by many.