Rita Raeleen Holtz

Rita Raeleen Holtz, 78, of Montgomery County, Maryland, formerly of Shrewsbury, PA, passed from this life on Sunday, February 9, 2025, after a 15-year battle against breast cancer. She was the loving wife to the late John Donald Holtz who passed away from prostate cancer in October 2002 and the dedicated dog mom to Sneakers and Ruby. Born in Glen Burnie, MD, Raeleen, as she was known to her friends and family, was the daughter of the late Raymond and Rita Marie (Kaiss) Komendar.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer L. Gaegler, Jennifer's husband, Christopher; their almost 12 year-old grandson, Wyatt, whom she adored more than anything in the world, and her granddog, Ripley. Raeleen is fondly remembered as an intelligent student who made the National Honor Society all 4 years of Holy Trinity School in Glen Burnie, MD, was her class valedictorian, prom queen, the Student Council President in her senior year, plus a vibrant cheerleader each season, Secretary of the CYO, and the Vice President of the Sub-Debutants.  In her high school yearbook, Raeleen was described as a very busy person-- that's an understatement!  Her leadership skills, calm and kind personality always made her a wonderful friend.

Her mom, Rita, was an expert seamstress and Raeleen "had a wardrobe that was the envy of all of her friends," as told to Raeleen's daughter, Jennifer.

Raeleen graduated with an Associates Degree from Villa Julie College in Maryland (now Stevenson University) and became an airline stewardess for American Airlines, her dream job. There, she travelled the world making lifelong memories before becoming a dedicated mother and while practicing her beloved French language.  Her love of international travelling, languages, and immersing herself in world cultures were some of the greatest gifts that she bestowed to Jennifer.

As a stay-at-home mother, Raeleen was always the first person to volunteer to lead school field trips, ride to Mount Vernon to help Jennifer recreate correspondence from President Washington for the History Fair, and tirelessly ferry her daughter to dance recitals, sports games and cheerleading practices.  Raeleen, John, and Rita were always the loudest - and proudest - parents and grandma in attendance and never missed a practice or performance.

Raeleen's greatest pride for the past 12 years was Wyatt. Even before his birth, Raeleen's daily phone calls with Jennifer always centered around Wyatt's health and future happiness.  The highlight of her day was always his visits to dance with her at assisted living and hear about his school day on the phone.  She even taught herself chess so they could play and enjoy doing something together that they both loved.  Raeleen saw herself in his love of languages and academic pursuits.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a visitation from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA 17349 with a funeral liturgy beginning at 12 noon. Burial will immediately follow in the adjoining church cemetery.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Raeleen’s memory to:

Shih Tzus & Furbabies Animal Rescue at www.STFBR.org - where she adopted her Lhasa Apso, Ruby.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer at www.LBBC.org to provide financial assistance to women battling breast cancer.

The Pink Fund at www.PinkFund.org to help cover rent and health costs for breast cancer warriors.

Jewish Social Services (JSSA) [email protected] that provided mom's hospice services and gave her comfort in her last days.

Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care Inc. of New Freedom is assisting the family with the arrangements. HartensteinCares.com.