Beatrice Holter

Beatrice N. Holter, age 90, of Erie, passed away on Thursday May 1, 2014 at Springhill. She was born in Bridgeport, CT, on January 21, 1924, the daughter of the late Chester Encell and Dorothea Seeth Nichols.

Bea was a graduate of Kean College, in Union, New Jersey, and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1956, she moved to Erie with her family. She taught fourth grade at Erie Day School and St Peter Cathedral Center, and truly touched many lives over the years. She never forgot a student and always mentioned each as “one of my children.” She loved and respected them and that was her magic.

Since moving to Erie, Bea was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and belonged to the Women’s Association and the Covenant Choir. She was an avid lover of the arts, and attended the Erie Philharmonic concerts lifelong. Bea and her husband, John, sang together in the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, the Symphonic Singers, and the Erie Opera Theatre. She also enjoyed performing at the Erie Playhouse. Bea and John were known for their rendition of “I Remember It Well.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John O. Holter, in 2012, a brother, Lt Col Herbert B. Nichols, and three sisters, Dorothea, Elinor, and Alma.

Bea is survived by her daughter, Ellie (Mark) Tanenbaum, of Erie; two sons, John F. (Betty Williams) Holter, of Greenville, NC, and William P. (Mary Jo Rutkowski) Holter, a sister, Marion Meakin, of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren, Abbe and Jenna Tanenbaum, and Amy and David Holter; several nieces and nephews, and Amy Leemhuis, who was her wonderful companion this past year.

The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses, and administration of Springhill Community for their years of love, care, and compassion.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 W. 10th Street on Tuesday, May 6, from 2:00 to 4:30 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and are invited to attend a service at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Wednesday, May 7, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Stephen Morse officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 250 W. 7th Street, Erie, PA 16501, or the nonprofit PACA - Performing Artists Collective Alliance, 1505 State St, Erie, PA 16501.