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Promoted to Glory
Mrs. Commissioner Ruby Holz was promoted to Glory on Dec. 28, 2003.
Ruby Walker was born Oct. 11, 1914 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada to Salvation Army officer parents. She was commissioned as an officer in 1939 with the Dauntless Evangelists Session and served in corps appointments in New Jersey until 1941, when she married Captain Richard E. Holz.
In 1963 Mrs. Holz was named director of women’s services for the Southern New England Division. During the summer she directed camps for underprivileged children and a unique summer long camping program for senior citizens. In 1970 she was appointed League of Mercy secretary for the Eastern Territory and the next year assumed direction of the Army’s women’s services in the Australia Eastern Territory.
The Holzes returned to the U.S. in 1974 as leaders of the Western Territory with headquarters in Los Angeles. Mrs. Holz served as territorial president of women’s organizations. In 1980 Commissioners Holz were transferred to the Central Territory and served as leaders there until retirement in 1981.
Mrs. Holz was known both for her leadership abilities and her musicianship. She was a member of the New York Temple Chorus for 25 years and was its piano accompanist for part of that time.
The funeral service was held at the Atlanta Temple Corps in Atlanta, Georgia with Major Allan Hofer leading the service and Major Fiona Hofer bringing the message. The committal service took place at Kensico Cemetery with Commissioner Philip Needham leading.
Mrs. Holz is survived by her four children: Commissioner Keitha Needham, Southern Territorial President of Women’s Ministries; Dr. Richard Holz, Southern Territorial Music Secretary; Dr. Robert Holz of Charlotte, North Carolina and Dr. Ronald Holz of Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky.
Messages may be sent to Commissioner Keitha Needham, The Salvation Army, 1424 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329-2088.
Donations may be made to the Commissioner Ruby Holz Piano Scholarship and sent to The Salvation Army, 1424 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329-2088.
On Dec. 22, 2003, Brigadier Victoria Swan was promoted to Glory from her home in Ridgefield, Wash.
Victoria was born in Sweden on March 12, 1918. She began her 40 years of active service with The Salvation Army in 1939, serving the elderly, troubled and less fortunate in her home country. At the time she planned to move to the Philippines to marry her fiance, Erik Svensson, who was serving there.
Because of World War II, Victoria could not make that trip. For years she waited for Erik to return to Sweden, not knowing where he was or if he was even alive. They were finally married in 1947.
Later that year, the Swans (Svenssons at that time) were transferred to the U.S. While stationed in Seattle, Wash., they became the parents of twins, Roy and May. Roy was promoted to Glory in 1967.
Various assignments took the Swans to Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Montana and Colorado. Victoria especially loved working with children. Erik and Victoria retired from active service in 1979.
Victoria was a loving and faithful wife; devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; wonderful Christian role model and a living demonstration of Christ’s love.
A celebration of life service was held at the Portland Tabernacle Corps, Portland, Oregon.
Messages of condolence may be sent to Brigadier Erik Swan, c/o May Eley, 16010 NE 26th Court, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
Major Max Cabreros was promoted to Glory on Dec. 28 at age 92 from his home in Waipahu, Hawaii.
Max was born in the Philippine Islands on Nov. 19, 1911. After his commissioning with the Enthusiasts Session in 1938, his first appointment was as assistant at the Hakalau Corps in Hawaii. Other appointments followed in Honokaa, Wailuku, Hilo, the “Ewa Circuit,” Kahals and finally the Honolulu Boys’ Home. From 1947 to 1958 Major Max took a break in service from officership, but remained a soldier, serving as corps sergeant major of the Hilo Temple Corps for most of that time. He then moved to the mainland and attended the San Jose Corps. With the support of the soldiers of the corps, he returned to officership in 1958 and was appointed back to the Islands as assistant chaplain of the Honolulu Men’s Social Service Center.
In 1959, he assumed command of the Lahaina Corps, and in 1964 he was assigned as caretaker of Camp Homelani. From 1968 to 1974 he served in several Hawaii corps appointments and in 1974 he officially retired.
For most of his retirement he attended the Leeward Corps.
Major Max Cabreros loved Hawaii, especially Camp Homelani where it was fitting that his memorial service was held on Jan. 9. After his cremation, Major’s ashes were spread over the waters off the shores at Camp Homelani.
Howard A. Stillwell, retired US Air Force Lt. Colonel, was promoted to Glory December 3, 2003 from his home in Novato, California.
Born December 30, 1919, Howard would have been 84 on his next birthday. He died peacefully in his sleep following a long siege with a frail heart.
Stillwell was flying airplanes from an early age and distinguished himself as a flying ace during World War II. He saw active service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and has a long and colorful record of flight activity throughout America, England, Europe and Asia.
During a period between wars Howard graduated from Pepperdine University in Los Angeles and was a member of The Salvation Army Congress Hall Band. In 1946 he married Harriet (Jerri) Northrup at Congress Hall. Their three children live near the family home in Novato, Calif.: Carol Sue Wise, Roger Howard Stillwell, and Diane Searle.
Howard was the second son of Colonels Harry and Esther Stillwell, and Jerri, the daughter of Brig. and Mrs. Northrup. He is survived by two brothers, Dr. Robert Stillwell of Honolulu, Hawaii and Donald Stillwell of Los Gatos, California.
Correspondence may be sent to Mrs. Howard Stillwell, 25 Woodland Court, Novato, CA 94947 as well as Robert Stillwell, 77 Kaiholu Place, Kailua, HI 96734 and to Don Stillwell, 159 Luray Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032