Honouring a lifetime of quiet service – Peter & Joy Holder

A legacy has been created in memory of Peter and Joy Holder, a couple who met, married, and lived their lives in Suffolk.

They were modest, hardworking people who both worked at Eastern Counties Farmers, in Ipswich. Peter spent his entire career there and together they quietly dedicated their lives to supporting those around them.

During their marriage they welcomed two adopted children, Tim and Karen, creating a family life full of love. They treasured quiet days at home with their two beloved dogs, Betsy the chihuahua and Roger the basset hound, and they also shared a love of travel, exploring the world side by side.

Joy was wonderfully creative, enjoying pottery and calligraphy among many other pursuits. Peter was known for his dry sense of humour, his love of cricket and a carefully curated stamp collection.

Community service was woven through both of their lives. Joy gave her time to the Girl Guides, taught literacy classes for adults, volunteered at Ipswich Hospital, served as a historical archivist, and worked with the local Citizens Advice. After retiring, Peter spent nearly 30 years delivering books for Suffolk Libraries. He became known for arriving with a boot full of books and a warm smile.

After 65 years of marriage, Peter passed away at the age of 94. Joy, missing him deeply, continued to live independently for another two years before passing away at 91.

Knowing how much civic duty meant to their parents, Tim and Karen wanted to find a meaningful way to continue their legacy. Following a conversation with us and their Solicitor, the fund was created with a gift from Peter and Joy’s Estate which was exempt from Inheritance Tax.

We continue to work with Tim and Karen to award grants in memory of their parents year on year from this invested fund. They support local voluntary and community groups to have the resources they need to carry out their vital work, helping others in the way their parents would have wanted.

Tim said: “My sister and I are so pleased to have this fund in memory of our parents. We have always counted ourselves incredibly lucky that they chose us, and it is comforting to know that good will continue to be done in their names. It means so much to us and we know Mum and Dad would have loved this. Our parents lived carefully and provided generously for us, leaving an Estate just large enough to incur Inheritance Tax. We knew our father would want us to have acted prudently, and our mother would want us to consider how the money could do good for local people”.

“They helped people quietly in the background, as so many do. We hope this might inspire others to consider doing something similar, either during their lifetime or as part of their Estate planning.”

This is a beautiful reminder that ordinary lives can leave extraordinary legacies.

For more information about leaving a legacy, please contact Fran Wright on [email protected].