HOLLY ANN SOCORSO McDOW

Holly Ann Socorso McDow, wife of B. David McDow, died Sunday afternoon, February 17, 2013 at her home in Gilt Edge, Tipton County, TN. Visitation will be held Friday, February 22 from 5-8 p.m. with a service Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Munford Chapel. Holly, the daughter of Louis Anthony Socorso and Joanne Marie Fox Socorso, both deceased, was born October 28, 1953 in Portsmouth, Virginia. A self-described "Navy Brat", Holly attended school in Virginia, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee before obtaining her B.S. Degree in Biology and Chemistry from Middle Tennessee State University in 1979.Holly began work as Chief Chemist for an oil re-refining company but quickly moved up in the growing field of environmental clean-up, such as Love Canal, first as a technical rep. for RECRA Environmental Health Services followed by a position as Marketing Manager, Gulf Coast Operations, for Canonie Environmental Services. In 1982, Holly suffered a broken back which forced a temporary pause in her career, but in her typical "Damn the Torpedos" style, she soon formed her own company, H. A. Associates, in Houston, Texas as a consultant to companies such as Atlantic Richfield, Shell, Exxon, etc. and soldiered on. In 1984, she accepted a position with Hewlett Packards Analytical Instruments Division as a field engineer marketing their Analytical instruments for chemical testing to a broad array of companies in the oil and gas, medical, pharmaceutical, forensics, and other markets. She made Hewlett Packard her career home for nearly 24 years. While still at HP, in 1996, Holly and her husband Dave became independent franchise owners for Unicity International, marketing their line of Nutritional supplements and Weight-Loss products. After retiring from HP, Holly and Dave moved back to the old McDow home-place at Gilt Edge, where Holly soon expanded the franchise to her next career by becoming a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant as well as a Certified Weight Management Consultant. Holly was also involved in various community activities. She served as The Tennessee Federation of Republican Women Recording Secretary; Past President of the Tipton County Republican Women; Chairman Women's Health Issues, TFRW; a member of the Women Health Issues for the National Federation of Republican Women; Leader Tops TN 494, Covington Weight Loss Support Group; Captain, KOPS West Tennessee Weight Loss Honor Society; and was recently elected to the Gilt Edge TN City Council. She is survived by her husband B. David McDow, three step-daughters, Delta McDow of Mississippi, Marcella McDow Holsenback of Alabama, and Kristen McDow Rawlston of Alabama; one brother, Steve Socorso, currently living in the far east; two sisters, MaryAnne Harden (Lynn) of Florida, Lisane Socorso of Florida; two nephews, Sean Socorso of Washington, Mical Cichra of Florida; two nieces, Ashley Lane of South Carolina and Tammy Hevener of Mississippi; two brother's-in-law, Jerry McDow of South Dakota and Reginald K. McDow of Tennessee; two nephews by marriage, Michael McDow of South Dakota and Samuel McDow of Arizona; and one niece also by marriage, Reverend Mandy Sloan Flemming who will officiate during the services.Holly lived life well and full, till the day she died. She was happy, and made all around her happy. She leaves an unfillable void. Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel (901) 837-0123 brentwoodfuneralservices.com
 

Published in The Commercial Appeal on February 21, 2013