Celebrating a Life of Family, Education, and Love

Remembering Jeannette Rich

Jeannette Alice Holmes Rich, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away on October 30, 2025 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, in the home of her son Michael and daughter-in-law Cindy, where family gathered to connect and say goodbye. She was 93 years old.

Early Life and Education

Born on January 19, 1932, in Rio Vista, California, Jeannette was the cherished daughter of Blanche and Floyd Holmes, growing up in the Sacramento Delta of the Golden State. A bright and diligent student, she graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in 1939, a testament to her lifelong love of reading and knowledge. Jeannette went on to study History and Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, earning her Bachelor's degree in 1953.

Family and New Beginnings

While at UC Berkeley, Jeannette met Marvin Rich, then a graduate student in Physics. She found Marv to be "the most brilliant, creative, and fun man" she had ever met. Their marriage marked the beginning of a life filled with curiosity, challenges, and devotion to family. At first, they made their home in their beloved Bay Area, birthplace of their sons Michael and Paul. When Marv completed his PhD, the family packed up and embarked on a new adventure in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where Marv joined the Theoretical Physics group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. It was there that their daughter Dianne was born.

Dedication to Education and Community

Jeannette's passion for learning extended beyond her own academic achievements. In Los Alamos, she became a Teacher's Aide, substitute teacher, Assistant Librarian, and worked with children with special needs. Her patience, kindness, and empathy touched countless young lives. Later, she embarked on a new career as a Staff Librarian at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where her organizational skills and attention to detail served the community well. After retiring, she volunteered at Los Alamos Medical Center and tutored special needs children.

Strength and Adventure

Following Marv's passing in 2001, Jeannette demonstrated remarkable resilience, surviving breast cancer and embracing life with renewed vigor. She embarked on a series of adventures, traveling to Hawaii and Italy with her son Paul, to Ireland with her daughter Dianne, as well as to Iceland, Canada, and Panama with close friends.

Later Years and Legacy

In her later years, Jeannette moved to Rio Rancho to be close to Michael and Cindy, who spent more than ten years caregiving for her. Dianne moved to Rio Rancho to be nearby and help with caregiving. Jeannette's legacy is carried on by her surviving family: sons Michael (with wife Cindy) and Paul, daughter Dianne, grandson David (with wife Tara), four great-grandchildren - Taylynn, Adalynn, Landon, and Declan, and her sweet dog Sunny.

In Loving Memory

Jeannette will be remembered for her dedication to family, her warm smile and laughter, her sharp mind and quick wit, her vast generosity, her love for games (Bridge, Yahtzee, puzzles...), her ability to face life's challenges with perseverance, and her caring consideration of others. We hold her dear in our hearts.

Jeannette outlived most of her friends, and requested no public memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charitable organization that supports children and education, causes close to Jeannette's heart.

Some suggestions for donations:

• Save the Children (savethechildren.org)

• UNICEF (unicefusa.org)

• Room to Read (roomtoread.org)

• Children International (children.org)

• Oxfam America (give.oxfamamerica.org)