The procession up to the grave site overlooking the Ilsan Center in Korea.

Tribute to Grandma Holt in Korea.

     Bertha "Grandma'' Holt, who with her late husband founded Holt International Children’s Services, was laid to rest Wednesday, August 9, in Koyang, Korea.

    Holt died at age 96 on July 31 after a stroke. A generous gift from the Hyundai Corporation paid for all of the travel so Grandma Holt’s family could attend the services in Korea.

    Upon arrival in Korea, an honor guard from South Korea’s military received Grandma’s casket and carried it to a waiting hearse. Grandma and her children were received like visiting heads of state. The official motorcade held back rush hour traffic, allowing the hearse, bus and vans carrying the Holt family to travel unimpeded to the offices of Holt Children’s Services of Korea.

    The memorial service, held on Wednesday, August 9, began with a procession. A military band played a dirge, and the honor guard followed carrying the casket. Grandma’s children walked behind the casket. The daughters wore white hanboks, traditional Korean dresses in the color of mourning. The sons wore black suits and ties.

    Many dignitaries, including First Lady Lee, Hee-Ho, attended Grandma’s service in Korea. Almost a thousand people came, and many Holt adoptees were able to attend.

    The service at Ilsan concluded with a release of balloons at Grandma Holt’s request. Then the procession took Grandma’s casket up the stairs to where Harry is buried. Perhaps 200 people climbed those steps to Harry and Bertha’s grave site. Finally, Grandma’s casket was lowered into the ground, and beginning with Grandma’s daughters, those gathered laid flowers on her casket and put a shovel of dirt into the grave.

    On the following morning, Grandma’s children went up the hill to visit the grave site one last time before flying back to the United States. Harry and Bertha were together again... on a hillside overlooking the home for homeless, disabled children and residents that they had begun 40 years earlier.

    The flight that carried Grandma’s children back to the United States also carried three children bound for adoptive families. The work goes on. Children who need families are going to the waiting arms of parents who will love them as their own sons and daughters. Grandma would have been happy to see these children on their way.

    The Holt family would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support.