The Wonderful Life of Kathy Holms
If you ever find a sunny corner filled with laughter, there’s a good chance Kathy Holms is holding court. Kathy’s story begins in Urbana, Illinois, in a house bustling with the energy of four brothers and the gentle presence of parents who worked hard to build a loving home. Her father kept the presses running at the College of Agriculture, while her mother’s warmth greeted customers at Carson Pirie Scott & Co.—a balance of steadfast work and everyday kindness that shaped the way Kathy moves through the world.
In high school, Kathy was a baton twirler, spinning through pep rallies and parades, full of the same bright spirit she carries today. It was there she met Hal, the boy who would become her lifelong partner.
After graduation, Kathy started her career as a receptionist at Carle Hospital. She held down the fort while Hal served his country in the Navy, her days spent helping patients, her heart counting down the days until his return. When Hal came home, they married, and life truly began to unfold. Graduate school took them to new places, and eventually to Richmond, Kentucky, where Hal found his calling at Eastern Kentucky University’s Department of Physical Education.
Kathy’s own career blossomed—first as an advertising manager at Begley Drug Company, then as a valued member of the EKU Housing Department faculty. She balanced work and family, always finding time to cheer on their daughter Beth at diving meets, never missing a chance to offer encouragement from the stands. Beth would later bless them with two grandsons, who became the center of Kathy and Hal’s world.
But Kathy’s generosity didn’t stop with her own family. Through the Education Foundation, she and Hal opened their home to eight exchange students over the years, each one welcomed like family, each one leaving with a piece of Kathy’s warmth and wisdom. For a decade, she and Hal poured their energy into lovingly restoring a cabin on Woods Creek Lake—a sanctuary built board by board, memory by memory.
Since January 2024, Kathy has been a cherished member of Dominion Senior Living of Richmond. She’s quick with a story, always ready for a chat with Hal, and she finds joy in pet therapy and music sessions that fill the halls. Kathy brings sunshine wherever she goes—her kindness, curiosity, and laughter are gifts we’re grateful to share.
Kathy reminds us that a wonderful life is less about the milestones and more about the love you give, the homes you build, and the people you welcome along the way. We’re so lucky to have her as part of our Dominion family.
