Hollis “Holly” Smith French, 1976
B.A., Denison University
Community Volunteer
Glen Ellyn, Ill.
French was a lifelong philanthropist, dedicated volunteer, and passionate Denisonian who generously supported the university, proudly sharing her experience as an alum with her son, Taylor French ʼ11. Her alumni citation is given posthumously.
Raised with a guiding sense of civic responsibility, French was generous with her time, giving, and laughter. For most of her life, she volunteered for many deserving organizations and worked hard to set others up for success.
Earning dual Denison degrees in history and mathematics, French began her early career in banking but soon turned her attention and energy to her family and her prolific volunteerism. After she and her husband, Bon’s, two children were born, French aimed her efforts and fundraising to the community around her, including their local food pantry, hospitals, church, and educational programs.
In addition to her philanthropic impact on many organizations in the Chicago area, she spent 23 years working with the Junior League there, ultimately serving as the league’s executive vice president. In her more than two decades with the organization, she oversaw the development of volunteer training initiatives, community impact programs, and fundraising for at-risk women and children. She was honored with the league’s lifetime achievement award in 1998. French also volunteered at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Ill., for 35 years and served as the hospital’s auxiliary board president eight times.
Unfailingly generous and thoughtful, French was an avid sports fan, athlete, world traveler, and beloved mother and friend. She was devoted to her always expanding community and embodied her mantra of “living one day at a time, never giving up hope, and always maintaining a good attitude” with humor and authenticity.
The huge impact she made together with her husband, Bon, on their communities in Chicago and beyond will live on for generations to come.