Jane Althea Holdsworth

Newport, - Jane Althea Holdsworth, 56, of 39 Washington Street Newport, died Saturday, August 9, 2003 at home.She was the wife of the late Frank L. McGuire. Born in Providence, RI on August 19, 1946, she was the daughter of Arthur Holdsworth and Joyce Wright Holdsworth both of Caribou, ME.Ms. Holdsworth graduated from Caribou High School in Caribou, ME in 1964, and then from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in Journalism and Philosophy in 1969. In the early 1970s she worked as a reporter for both the Aroostook Republican newspaper in Caribou, ME and The Day in New London, CT and also as a newscaster for WERI Radio station out of Westerly, RI. From 1974 to 1976 she was the Press Secretary for United States Representative Christopher Dodd, Connecticut. As a freelance journalist in the late 1970s Ms. Holdsworth wrote a landmark expose for Connecticut Magazine on the safety concerns pertaining to nuclear power, and specifically, the Millstone reactor in Waterford, CT. From 1979 to 2001, Ms. Holdsworth worked for the Thames Science Center, a non-profit science museum, first in Public Relations and then as the Director/CEO and then as President. At the museums first location in New London, CT, she raised millions of dollars in grants and private donations to build the museum into a nationally-recognized science and technology center, with a respected reputation for innovative, thematic science programs, serving over 55, 000 families, students, teachers and visitors annually. She directed the development of dozens of cutting-edge educational exhibits and projects, leading the way for other regionally-focused science centers nationwide. In 1993, Ms. Holdsworth moved Thames Science Center to Newport, RI, where it has since offered the community and tourist eight different exhibits, science programs for children and teachers, birthday parties, summer camps and a science and learning store. In 2001, Ms. Holdsworth founded Thames and Kosmos, a publisher of science and educational kits and toys for children, starting with a Fuel Cell Car kit that is now used internationally in classrooms to demonstrate the principles of hydorgen fuel cell technology. She was the chairman of the Newport Republican City Committee, a member of the English-Speaking Union, New London Rotary, and the Newport Point Association. In addition to her parents she is survied by her two sons Francis ?Mico? Foran McGurie and Edmund ?Ted? Burke McGuire both of Newport, RI. A memorial service will be held on August 23, 2003, at 1:00pm in the Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham Street, Newport. Burial will be on August 30, 2003, in Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, ME. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Newport Restoration Foundation, 51 Touro Street, Newport, RI 02840.