OMENA - Dorothy Benjamin Holmes, 89, of Omena, formerly of Cadillac, Michigan, passed away May 14, 2014, at Tendercare of Leelanau, in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The daughter of Stanley L. and Lillian (Couch) Benjamin, she was born March 27, 1925, in Carsonville, Michigan. Dorothy married Herbert Everett Holmes on December 28, 1945, in Croswell, Michigan.

As a child of the Great Depression, Dorothy embraced the creativity that can be born out of hardship. She accepted the challenge to find beauty in old and cast-off things - and was dedicated to designing and making quilts, rugs and other art, much of which, as she wished, will long survive her.

After graduation from the Croswell Public Schools, Dorothy defied the family tradition of Albion College to attend Michigan State University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics and became a life-long Spartan. While at MSU, Dorothy met Herbert, whom she married as soon as he returned from his WWII U.S. Army service overseas. She and Herb first lived in Lake City and then Cadillac.

In 1983 the Holmeses found an old farmstead in Omena the perfect place to retire. Dorothy and her husband began to collect antiques shortly after they married, saying that "if they lasted 100 years they can last through our kids." All eight of their children received college degrees. She believed in education, always seeking to make a difference in the lives of the young. Dorothy was born five years after women got the vote. She said that she hoped to live long enough to vote for a woman to be President of the United States.

Dorothy is survived by seven children: Lucinda (Peter) Komblevitz of Lowell; Cassandra (Larry) Proctor of St. John's; Mark Holmes of Round Lake, Illinois; Justin (Judith) Holmes of Gazelle, California; Molly (Mark) Cybowski of Charlotte, North Carolina; Heidi (David) Tagg of Coppersville, and Amanda (Daniel Stewart) Holmes of Omena; thirteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Norma (Richard) Cade and Helen (Ken) Knudtzon; and the many nieces and nephews and young friends who called the Holmes household home for summer after summer.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Herbert Everett Holmes; daughter Jennifer (Steve) Oppeneer, parents Stanley L. and Lillian (Couch) Benjamin; and three brothers, Robert, Edward and William Benjamin.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Interlochen Public Radio, Interlochen, PO Box 199, 9350 Lyon Street, Interlochen, MI 49643-0199. Dorothy acknowledged that when she could no longer see to create art or to read, the station brought her music and the news of the world.

Please share your memories with Dorothy's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com or mail to P.O. Box 137 Omena, MI., 49674.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is being served by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.