Mary Lou Hope Holland, 74, of Ocean Township, went home to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, on Monday, November 23, 2015, at MediCenter, Neptune, NJ.  She was born on January 3, 1941 at Monmouth Memorial Hospital, Long Branch, NJ to Milton Brownlee and Josephine Morris Brownlee.

She was raised in Lincroft, NJ and attended Middletown Township High School.  She married Richard Allen Holland of Akron, Ohio on October 30, 1964, and their union produced six children.

She was employed at Fort Monmouth, Eatontown for many years and thereafter supported several New Jersey law firms in legal research and trial preparation, including Kenney, Kenney, Gross & McDonough of Red Bank, and Shebell & Shebell, formerly of Asbury Park.  She joined St. Paul Baptist Church, Red Bank, NJ, in the early 1970's and lived in Tinton Falls before relocating to Asbury Park in 1979.

Mary Lou was a devoted and loving mother, who nurtured her children and emphasized the importance of family and education.  With the grace of God, she successfully raised them on her own. She defied all odds and completed her degree in paralegal studies as a single mother.  Through her guidance, care and discipline, her sons and daughters overcame many obstacles and hurdles in life to achieve many successes.

She was predeceased by her mother and father; one daughter, Deidre Yvette Holland; two sisters, Carolyn Murray and Shirley Shepherd; and one brother, Keith Brownlee.

She is survived by her sons, Anthony S. Holland (Stephanie) of Wanamassa, NJ, Trever D. Holland of New York, and Michael K. Holland (Shonda) of Lawrenceville, NJ; daughters, Marcia Boynton (Andrew) of Lawrenceville and Tamala M. Holland of Livingston; brother, Milton Brownlee of Howell; sisters, Karen Enous of Mays Landing and Sheila Bentley of Asbury Park; grandchildren, Kevin, Duane, Danielle, Nicole, Erika, Brittany, Michael Jr., Destiny, Brandon and Miles; great grandchildren, Genesis, Syncere, Courtney, Temani, and DJ; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.