Cynthia Susan “Cindy” Holland, 65, of Plant City, died Oct. 3, 2014, from complications of systemic lupus erythematosus.
She is survived by her husband, John “Jack” Holland; two sons, Stephen Jackson (Lynne) and Jason Jackson (Anne); sisters, Bunni Johnston and Marti Baker (Bruce); sister-in-law, Sara Valentine (John); grandchildren, Taylor and Rachel Jackson, and Conner and Emalie Jackson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Holland was born in Detroit but grew up mostly in Georgia and Polk County. She was a full-charge bookkeeper for several CPA firms in Plant City and Lakeland for many years. She was very involved in youth soccer, first at North Lakeland Youth Soccer as a board member and coach. Later, she helped form the Plant City Area Soccer Club and served as a board member, coach and concessions manager. She was involved with the Plant City Recreation & Parks Department/Optimist Youth Soccer Program as a coach, referee and concessions manager. Her passion was her children, her grandchildren and traveling.
After being diagnosed with lupus in 1999, Mrs. Holland was active in the search for a cure by serving on the inaugural committee for the Walk With Us to Cure Lupus events in Tampa, and was selected twice to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for research funding on Capitol Hill. She fought a brave battle with the disease until an attack of shingles proved too much to overcome.
In lieu of flowers, please send a general donation to the Alliance for Lupus Research at lupusresearch.org, where 100% of every donation goes toward lupus research.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City. Services will be private at a later date.
Condolences may be made at HaughtFuneralHome.com.