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Avril Mary Holmes (maiden name) was born on August 14, 1939 in England to John and Winifred Holmes. John worked as a musicologist and in a bomber factory during World War II while Winifred served as a District Nurse. She later had a younger brother named Paul, who currently resides in New Zealand.
She travelled by sea to Montreal, Canada when she was 16 years old and later immigrated to the United States. She was first married to Rolf Luettgau and later had her first baby, Kim, in 1958. The couple later divorced.
She then moved to California where she met her second husband, Ivan Valdes. They later moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, where Ivan was employed in the Space Program.
The couple then moved to Charleston, South Carolina. Two sons were born, first Marcus, in 1970, and then Marius, in 1972. In the mid 1980s, Avril began to volunteer as a Dental Assistant for the United States Navy. She later obtained her United States Citizenship and became a full time employee. Later, she would divorce and moved to Norfolk, Virginia to continue employment when the dental clinic in Charleston was closed.
Avril eventually moved back to Charleston and worked various jobs including a full time baby sitter, and an after school helper at Divine Redeemer Catholic School in Hanahan.
In 2007 she relocated to Columbia, South Carolina to be close to Marius who teaches at the University of South Carolina. This was the beginning of her “golden years” and being a full time grandma.
Avril is survived by her brother Paul; Kim Brown, daughter; Marcus Valdes, son; and Marius Valdes, son. Her grandchildren include: Christopher, Ryan (deceased), Sterling, Austin, Alan, Abrielle, Anna, and Emma.