Dr Margaret Lynn Holden was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on 4 May 1948 to Dr Pat Holden and Mrs Doris Holden, and died on 1 December 2015. Because Dr Holden’s father was in the military, the Holden family moved frequently, including to postings in Kingston, Germany, Whitehorse, and eventually Victoria. 

Dr Holden graduated with an honours degree in psychology from the University of Victoria prior to graduating from medicine at UBC in 1974. She had dreamed of becoming a doctor since she was a child. However, she was only able to practise for about 5 years because her professional life was cut short by chronic, debilitating depression. In spite of excellent medical care, her illness interfered with any ongoing medical work. This inability to fulfill her lifelong goal, and to ultimately specialize in neurology, was profoundly devastating to her. Thankfully, she was still able to pursue and enjoy various interests. Lynn was accomplished at swimming, cooking and baking, highland dancing, piano and trumpet, and loved classical music. She did things with dignity and a touch of class, and readily shared her radiant smile. Wherever Lynn lived she embraced the community and touched many lives. Her volunteer activities included Meals on Wheels, delivering meals she had prepared from her own kitchen, visiting the homebound, and at times providing overnight respite care to community members. The generosity and inclusivity she demonstrated while taking part in an eclectic mix of activities was inspirational for all who knew her. She was also a spiritual person, studying philosophy and religion, including Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism, and she co-founded the Ecumenical Society on Gabriola Island.

Lynn is survived by her mother, Doris Holden; her sisters, Joan Rose and Jill Bruce (Lindsay); her nephew, Matthew Rose (Char); and her nieces, Anna and Claire Bruce. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to Drs Francois Bosman, Joris Wiggers, and Ralph Shulman for their kind, compassionate care.

Lynn was so loved and will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.
—Lynn Kobierski, MD
Victoria
—Jill Bruce
Victoria