Monique Deshawn Holland

Our beloved Monique Da'Shawn Holland who we affectionately called "Nikki" was born March 16th, 1970, in Detroit Michigan to Francis (Frankie) Germaine Holland and William Stubblefield. Nikki grew up in a very loved and caring environment. She was prideful of her family and uplifted her heritage on a daily basis. Nikki has a very positive, impactful, and unique story which shaped and molded her.

Most people would fail with the cards she was dealt. Not her, she persevered and became a person who unselfishly gave all of herself and became an example for many that came within her circumference.

At the young age of 13 after returning to Michigan from living in California Nikki lost her mother, leaving her and younger brother William (Billy) at a very untimely moment in their lives. Because of the Holland families unselfish and unconditional way of raising a village, Nikki and Billy went to live with Uncle Jack and Aunt Cheryl Holland who already had 5 children of their own. Aunt Cheryl to this day always says there was and will always be room at the table for everyone. Nikki and Billy were already grieving their mother's loss when, just nine months later, the family suffered another major blow: the untimely passing of Jack Holland. Enduring two significant losses in such a short time sent shock waves through the family, doubling Nikki and Billy's grief.

But The Village of the Holland Family grew even tighter, cousins became siblings, aunts became mothers and uncles became fathers. Through the years Monique and Billy moved from Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Jack's home to Aunt Ruth (Ruthie) and Uncle Eddie Henderson's home, learning and witnessing unconditional love of their four children. Then Nikki and Billy went on to live with Aunt (Auntie) Sylvia and Uncle George Johnson. Nikki's kind and unselfish mentality was instilled in her at a very early age.

Rather than negatively processing these difficult circumstances, she dug deep, reshaping her life to become a better person and spread love to everyone that came within her reach. Throughout the years, Nikki's primary focus remained on overcoming challenges and achieving at the highest level possible.

Nikki's greatest achievement came on August 22nd, 1990, with the birth of Courtney Da' Shawn Holland.

With every heartache and loss, she had suffered in the earlier years the birth of Courtney strengthened her ability to unconditionally love someone more than she loved herself. The love and nurturing she had experienced from her mother and The Village she now could pour into her on child.

Nikki's drive to be great and strive for more was due to that fact of now she was a young mother that had to swim...Sinking was not an option. At this time in her life Nikki went back to live with Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Eddie Henderson. Aunt Ruthie not only poured into Nikki her motherly guidance, but she also did it to Courtney yet furthering Nikki's passion to unconditionally love.

Through the years Nikki always was focused on a path to greatness. She stayed extremely close to family which enable her to attract many that wanted to befriend such wonderful woman. In late 1999 news came that Nikki was pregnant again. She was overjoyed as she had her baby girl, but she also wanted a boy.

Her brother William (Billy) was so overjoyed that he would finally have the nephew that he always wanted. However, tragedy struck again with the sudden and untimely passing of William (Billy) on

March 11th, 2000.

The Family was faced once again with having to deal with grief. The Village became even tighter and wider at this time and love saw her through. Because of the closeness of Nikki and Billy, she wanted to ensure that Billy's named lived on forever, thus on May 28th, 2000, William Holland-Jones was born.

Rather than giving up, Nikki became even more determined to succeed. She saw herself as an example for her children and wanted to prove that failure should not be an option, regardless of circumstances A few years later came the passing of Aunt Ruthie which once again left a hole in her heart. Again, she didn't give up and was determined to our love anyone that loved her. Nikki's love for family and giving more of herself never stopped. She cultivated a bond while living with her father's family, The Goldens.

She learned the importance of family from her aunts and uncles as stated earlier who became actual Mothers and Fathers to her. She learned to give more of herself than receiving as that is where blessing.

come.

Without pause or convention, she then took on the responsibility of being a mother to Jordan, Desmond and Caliah Wilder as if they were her own children. The love she showed them is the same identical love as her own biological children. Nikki now took on the responsibility of being a mother to 5 children, following the same path she had witnessed when her and Billy were younger. Nikki had the same mentality as Aunt Cheryl, there is always room for evervone as love doesn't have any barriers.

Throughout time Nikki was always taking on responsibilities without question. Her love for Grand Ma Blanche Scaife was unconditional and she made sure to take care of her with integrity until her passing.

Grand Ma Blanche also played a major part in shaping and molding Nikki.

Nikki's outreach touched many. As she was raised literally in a village of pure authentic love. Aunt Sylvia was also instrumental in guiding Nikki to being a faithful, God-fearing and praying woman.

Nikki later on in life took on the responsibility of taking care of Aunt Sylvia returning the love she showered Nikki while growing up.

All that Nikki endured with giving more of herself for years she never gave up on seeking a higher learning. Again, with all the obstacles an average person would have given up. Not Nikki, she was silently pushing herself to win. Nikki started to pursue a degree in Business Administration and Management in 2016 receiving her Associates of Arts Degree in 2018. Then Nikki went on to pursue in 2019 at Eastern Michigan University a Bachelor of Business Administrations receiving her degree in

2021. Nikki set her sights on a career in the automotive industry becoming a well-respected woman in the corporate arm of automotive. Nikki planted her flag at multiple automotive companies but finally landed her dream job at General Motors as Senior Buyer for the HVAC Modules Air Inductions program. Nikki was well loved by her direct colleagues and suppliers for GM. Nikki was finally living her dream.

In 2022, Nikki uprooted her family of four young adults, along with a plus one (Aunt Sylvia) to Houston, Texas. After years of pushing through Nikki was finally at peace with her life and often showed the world how at peace she was through her social media. Especially in the wintertime being in Houston and rubbing it in to those that lived in colder climates. Nikki would often be seen crying to herself... But these tears were finally different as they were tears of complete joy.

As the children of The Village became adults, we all grew up and became parents and grandparents.

Each one of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren referred to her with honor and respect as Aunt Nikki. It was Nikki at the family functions where everyone gravitated towards because of the love she illuminated. Her bright smile and laugh were a magnet to a person that was in need of love.

On July 17th, 2023, our beloved Nikki transitioned as she lived. in peace and peacefully in her sleep. We will forever be physically broken as she was all our strength in a time of weakness, she was our joy in a time where joy is needed. She was our cheerleader at a time where all of us needed to be pushed to win.

Nikki celebrated and congratulated everyone...She left no stone unturned... Nikki simply is God given.

Nikki was and will remain a beacon of kindness and generosity, whose life was marked by her unwavering devotion to family, her passion for higher learning, her drive to achieve and overcome life's obstacles and her extreme love for life.

Souls such as Nik's never die because she was too impactful to all. She hasn't left us to cherish her memory for she will forever be present in all of us.

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