Nola Holton

Nola Bridenstein Lee Holton

January 15, 1938 - November 16, 2022


Nola was born in Marion, Illinois to parents, Lorene "Sue" Storme Bridenstein and Pascal Thomas "Tom" Bridenstein. They lived in Chicago for a time but Nola spent her school years in Marion, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. She became an accomplished pianist and played the clarinet. She returned to Illinois so that she could attend and graduate from Marion High School. She and her parents moved to Miami where she graduated from the University of Miami. With her love of music, she added the flute to her list of musical accomplishments; she also had a love of dancing and a passion for education. She became an elementary school teacher in Miami, Florida. She taught various grade levels as well as Music and "English as a second language" at several schools in Dade county for 30 years.

Nola was active in the Disciples of Christ, Christian Church. Her faith was a huge part of her life from an early age. She taught and attended Sunday School Classes, Christian Women's Fellowship, service groups, drama, choir and various types of church service participation. As with her mother and grandmother before her, she used her crocheting skills for a "Prayer Shawl Ministry", making items of comfort as gifts to others.

She met and married Eugene "Gene" D. Lee at the First Christian Church of Miami. They had one daughter, Misty G. Lee, an animation producer in Los Angeles. Misty is married to attorney J. David Gentle and they have three children, Justin T. Gentle, a commercial pilot for SkyWest, Garrett E. Gentle, a producer for Cue Audio and Tabitha "Tabby" L. Gentle, a Junior at UC Santa Barbara and part time personal trainer.

In 1992, Nola's first husband, Gene Lee, was killed in an air accident and their home was severely damaged by Hurricane Andrew. The following year, Nola retired to Orlando to be near her mother and daughter. Nola and her mother had the privilege and the joy of caring for Misty and David's three children on weekdays when the "kids"were young. That was a rewarding mini-career for both Nola and her mother.

A few years later Nola met and married Jack Holton at Central Christian Church in Orlando. Jack and Nola were happily married for 17 years. Nola is survived by Jack Holton who lives at Oakmont Retirement Community in Lake Mary, Florida. Jack's son and daughter, Jack Holton Jr. and Julie Tarnell and their families provided more happy memories and relationships in Nola's life.

Nola also leaves behind a sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Jim Story and their two daughters, Megan and Loren. Nola is survived by a niece, Susan McCluskey and husband Tracey and their two children, Michael and Emma of Marietta, Georgia. Nola is also survived by several cousins, Donald Shure of San Jose, California, Ann and Jim Barrett and their son Steven and family in Illinois, Carolyn and Peter Voss and their children, Tim, Debbie and Lori and and their families in Florida, Carol Tyner and her daughters, Tammy and Tricia and their families in Illinois. Vickie Storme Cannady's two children, Marcia and Michael, Steven and Mary Storme of the Villages in Florida, Steven's three children, Jenna, Kaitlin and Brian and their families, Julie Storme Selvestrii and her family, JoAnn Whiteside Tutt and her son Michael and family of Florida, and many other cousins and numerous friends like Maria Scuderi Jacobs.

Nola will be missed by all of us who loved her music, admired her faith, and enjoyed her sense of optimism and fun.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Nola's Birthday, January 15, 2023 at Oakmonte Village in Lake Mary, FL. Please see below for service information.

In lue of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America or the Alzheimer's Association.