Janice Virginia Kocvara Holt

Janice Virginia Kocvara Holt, 78, of Harrisburg, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. 

A funeral service to celebrate Jan's life will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday the 24th of June, at Providence Baptist Church in Harrisburg officiated by Dr. John Cashwell, with burial to follow at Carolina Memorial Park Harrisburg. The family will greet friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday the 23rd of June at Wilkinson Funeral Home in Concord. 

Born on January 4, 1948, in Hackensack, New Jersey, Janice was the daughter of the late Miriam Workman Kocvara and the late John Kocvara. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Elaine Robert. 

Janice, known lovingly by many as Jan, lived a life centered around family, friendship, faith, and caring for others. She had a warm and social spirit and made friends easily wherever life took her. Whether in New Jersey, where she spent many years, or in North Carolina, where she and her family made their home in recent years, Jan had a way of forming meaningful connections and making others feel welcomed. 

For many years, Jan worked as the school secretary at Milnes School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. She served there from the late 1980s until her retirement in 2016, becoming a familiar and trusted presence to students, teachers, staff, and families. Her kindness, organization, and steady care left a lasting impression on many throughout the school community. 

After moving to North Carolina in 2020, Jan quickly found ways to become involved and connected. She enjoyed her book group and Bunco group, where she formed new friendships and shared her love of reading, conversation, and laughter. She and Wayne faithfully attended Providence Baptist Church, where they became part of a caring church family. 

Jan loved flowers and appreciated the beauty they brought into a home and into the lives of those around her. She also loved reading and spending time with friends, but above all, she was most proud of her family. Her grandchildren were a special joy in her life, and she loved them deeply. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 58 years, Wayne Alan Holt of Harrisburg; her daughter, Wendy Peterson and husband, Matthew, of Harrisburg; her son, Kevin Holt and wife, Lee, of Memphis, Tennessee; and her beloved grandchildren, Kyle Peterson, Alexis Peterson, Dorothy Holt, and Charles Holt. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Janice will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion to family, her friendships, her faith in Jesus, and the joy she found in life's simple blessings. Though her passing was sudden and heartbreaking, the love she gave and the memories she created will remain with her family and friends always.