Katherine Jayne Holland (née Duffy) of Mesa, Arizona and formerly of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on June 14, 2024 at the age of 89.
She is survived by her sons, Edward Francis Tjarks (Jill), and Christopher Allen Tjarks (Suzanne). She is also survived by her granddaughters, Ashley, Kirsten and MacKenzie and great-grandchildren, Lindsey, Brooke and Joseph. She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis K. Duffy and Ruth F. Duffy, her brother, Allen Duffy and the father of her children, Edward A. Tjarks Jr.
Jayne was born to Francis K. Duffy and Ruth Forbes Duffy on August 5, 1934 in Rochester, NY. She graduated from The Rhodes School in New York City in 1952 and from Averett College in Danville, Virginia in 1954.
Jayne began her career in retail and extended her love of fashion at Lord and Taylor in New York City where she was promoted and opened numerous stores. She stayed home to raise her sons until they went to college and then returned to retail as her chosen profession until retiring. She volunteered at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK and co-chaired the residents’ committee at her apartment complex for many years with her best friend, Jo.
Her true loves, besides her sons, were her pets. She loved her dogs throughout the years, especially Uncle Riley, Anthony Armstrong-Jones the Corgi, Cleo and JC, the Collies, Heidi the German Shepherd, Charlie, and Lilly and Laddie, the Shelties. Her cats, Rosie and Molly, and her bird, Petie were loyal companions as well. She trained Sunshine, the horse, to hoof the door when he wanted a cookie. True to her love of animals, Jayne lent a helping hand to many strays in the area by feeding them and finding them good homes.
Jayne also loved her plants and had an amazing green thumb. While in Tulsa, she grew the most beautiful roses and had many plants and flowers to decorate her home. In Mesa, she nurtured succulents and cacti on hope alone sometimes.
She was well known for remembering to send greeting cards to family and friends for all occasions and holidays. The beach was one of her favorite places to be and she enjoyed swimming in the ocean. Often, she could be found sipping her favorite coffee at all hours of the day with her neighbors and friends. She enjoyed eating a New York style Reuben and matzo ball soup at the local deli. One of her favorite outings was to see the Lower Salt River wild horses.
On July 6, 2024, Jayne’s committal ceremony will be held at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Mesa, AZ at 9 am. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to any animal rescue of your choice in honor of Jayne.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Jayne was one of my best friends for several years when she was residing in Tulsa. We walked our dogs together, she went with me to q Friday Bible Study I attended for several years. She also attended the Bible Study I taught here at our complex. We went out to eat many times and shopping together. I missed her immensely when she moved to AZ. She was a unique person, I loved her dearly. RIP my dear friend.