Holly Moore

Vibrant, passionate, and deeply devoted to the people and things she loved, Holly Moore touched the lives of everyone she met in such a special way. When she loved, she loved with all her heart, and her dedication to her family was unmatched. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Holly’s life became a testament to what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. There was no greater joy in her life than being surrounded by the family she loved more than anything on this side of heaven. Although she will be deeply missed, Holly’s family and friends find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

It seems only fitting that Holly’s journey began during a time that was as colorful as she was. It was the 1960s when civil rights led by Martin Luther King were front and center, and we elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States only to mourn his death just a short time later. America was victorious in the space race with the Soviet Union as we were the first nation to put a man on the moon. It was on June 6, 1961, that Hurvey “Mike” and June (Rhea) Haskins Jr. were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Holly Sue in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin. Raised in the family home in East Troy, she was joined in her family by her six siblings, J Carrell, Cathleen, Kelly, Hurvey III, Hans, and Kirk. Her father had several work ventures during Holly's childhood. He at different times was a small business owner who raised sheep, owned a gas station, and owned a small potato-processing plant. Holly’s mother was a librarian who was also the bookkeeper and accountant for the family businesses.

From the time she was a young girl Holly was a bustle of activity She loved music and was a talented singer who was always singing from the time she was two years old. Holly was also an avid reader, learned to sew very well, and was involved in the local 4-H. Since she lived out in the country she and her good friend, Barb, often met in the hollow between their homes. All Holly’s sisters wore matching dresses while she wore jeans and sweatshirts to match her brothers, however, she would have to eventually wear those dresses for three years in row once her sisters grew out of them! During the winter the Haskins family could often be found ice skating on the pond behind the barn. Holly was in junior choir at church, played the piano and hand bells, played Aunt Eller in her high school’s production of Oklahoma!, was first chair flute in high school, and won first place for a vocal solo in a competition. She also graduated as an honor student.

New and exciting changes were in store for Holly when she met the man with whom she would write a love story that would span more than 35 years. His name was Dana Moore, and they met because Holly was good friends with his younger sister, Brenda. The first time Brenda brought Holly home Dana stole her away and the rest is history as they say. Deeply in love, Holly and Dana were married at St. James Methodist Church in East Troy on May 19, 1979. Together they were blessed to welcome five children including Sarah, Emily, Benjamin, Samuel, and Tristan into their hearts and home. As a family they were active in Parkway’s Easter dramas, 4-H, youth groups, choirs, and numerous other events and activities. They home-schooled their children, and Holly would even try to use the family vacations as learning opportunities. When Holly saw a historical marker along the way, she would always ask the kids if they wanted to stop - the unanimous answer was usually "no". There was always room for a pet in Holly’s home; throughout the years three dogs, two cats, and other smaller animals shared the home at one time or another. In fact, they even had up to three dozen reptiles at one time, much to Holly’s dismay! Not only was Holly tolerant of reptiles, but she also allowed her two older sons to hold their band practice in their basement. It was so loud that Holly couldn’t even use the phone on the first floor when they were “jamming!”

Faith was a cornerstone in Holly’s life from the time she and Dana started digging in deep to study the Bible when she was about 20. They learned more about the Lord, and they were also witnessed to by Jim and Merry Sanheim. It was a day to celebrate when Holly was born again on July 10, 1983, received the Holy Spirit, and was baptized in Jesus’ name.

Not only did Holly teach her children at B.E.S.S. Christian School , but she also spent many years working outside the home as a teacher. She spent several years teaching sixth grade and then middle school math both at Parkway Christian Academy and later at Victory Christian Academy. Holly was also a records secretary and a receptionist. Devoted to her work, Holly was the only teacher who taught two grades in one year while also undergoing treatment for her cancer the first time around. Through the years she was regularly the favorite teacher among countless students.

As her family and friends can attest, Holly lived fully in each moment. Her love for singing remained with her as an an adult as she sang in the choir for years and she also loved teaching her children and grandchildren all the songs and little ditties she learned as a young girl. Holly loved reading Erma Bombeck, crosswords, jumble, and boggle, and she also forced herself to do Sudoku puzzles to strengthen her mental capacity. She was a fanatic about anything orange flavored and loved sharing sweet pickles with her granddaugter, Olivia, too. Holly absolutely loved being a grandmother and often called Wesley her “Wonderful Wesley.” With an unmatched spirit of generosity, Holly liked opening her home on Thanksgiving to anyone who needed a place to go.

Although Holly Moore accomplished so much of which to be proud, she was a humble woman whose greatest joy was found in giving of herself to those around her whether her family, her students, or those within her community. She was a realist, but she always saw the glass as half full and believed that nothing was beyond hope. Holly effortlessly forgave others, knew what she wanted in life, and she constantly encouraged those around her to follow their dreams. Gracious, courageous, and selfless, she will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Holly Sue Moore died on October 19, 2014. Holly’s family includes her husband, Dana Moore of Milwaukee, WI; chidlren, Sarah (Joseph) Pollnow of Milwaukee, WI, Emily (Beau) Blend of Muskego, WI, Benjamin (Heather) Moore of San Diego, CA, Samuel Moore (Heather Kotke) of Milwaukee, WI, and Tristan Moore of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren, Olivia, Wesley, and Levi Pollnow, Aubrey, Dexter, and Baby Boy Blend, and Micaila Kotke; parents, Hurvey Jr. “Mike” and June Haskins of East Troy, WI; siblings, Cathleen Haskins (Phil Makurat) of Door County, WI, Kelly (Don) Wilson of Mt Vernon, Ohio, Hurvey III (Judy) Haskins of Elkhorn, WI, Hans (Suzanne) Haskins of Elkhorn, WI, Kirk (Monet) Haskins of Madison, WI, and the late J Carrell Heller; and many other loving family members including uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, in-laws and friends. Family and friends will gather Saturday, October 25, 2014, at Parkway Apostolic Church 10940 S. Nicholson Rd. Oak Creek, WI 53154 from 11:00 a.m. until time of the Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials to the family appreciated. Please visit www.SuminskiFuneralHome.com to view Holly’s LifeStory, place a memory or sign the guest book.