Kathrine D Holloway

Kathrine “Kathy” Holloway, 65, of Topeka, lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, November 24, 2024. She was holding the hand of her loving husband when she departed this life. 

Kathrine Dale, was born on May 7, 1959, in Arcata, California. She was the second of three daughters, born to Dr. Dale and Evelyn (Court) Anderson.

The family moved from Arcata to Topeka in August 1967. Kathy attended Randolph Elementary, Boswell Junior High, and graduated from Topeka High School in 1977. Kathy began dating her future husband in August 1975.

She married Ronald “Ron” Holloway on August 1, 1980, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the same city where her parents were married. Ron and Kathy eloped and then surprised their families with the news. That was how their life together continued, the two of them facing every joy and sadness life brings, together. Their relationship is the epitome of a grand love story. 

Kathy, Ron, and son Brian, moved to Olathe in 1988. While in Olathe, Kathy had the privilege of being able to stay at home and raise Brian and their second son, Matthew. Kathy did consider her time at home with Brian and Matthew special. When Matthew entered full-time elementary school, Kathy began working for the Olathe School District as a part time computer lab instructor before going full time in the Special Education Department. Kathy was in charge of Medicaid and other state and federal reports. Forms that Kathy created are still used today and are examples for other school districts in Kansas.

One of Kathy’s greatest joys was creative writing. She wrote an award-winning column for the Olathe Daily News for seven years. Her column had an Erma Bombeck flair, but with Kathy’s voice and humor. She also wrote subdivision/home descriptions for homebuilders across the Kansas City area as well as the room descriptions for the Kansas City Symphony Alliance Designer Show House, including 2024.

Kathy and Ron relocated back to Topeka in November 2013. They came back in part to help care for their aging parents. Kathy went to work for the Seaman USD 345 Special Education Department, completing many of the same mandated reports, as she did in Olathe. She retired in September 2019. She also participated in activities with Mid-America Mensa in Topeka.

Kathy loved her family beyond measure. Ron was Kathy’s biggest supporter through not only her cancer but also their life together. She was so proud of her sons, Brian and Matthew as well as their loves, Kelli and Cay. London, Reece, and Andrew were the apple of her eye. Kathy was an upbeat, demonstrative person. She genuinely loved and cared about her family, her friends, her writing, and her work. Her biggest pet peeves were pettiness and apathy. She was a spiritual person and her faith carried her.

In April 2022, Kathy was diagnosed with cancer. She faced her ridiculous and deplorable diagnosis with the most amazing and positive outlook. She was the rock for her family even though she was the one with cancer. She was determined to live the rest of her life her way, mission accomplished.

Left to miss her every single day are her husband; Ron, son; Brian (Kelli) of Olathe, son; Matthew (Cay Leytham-Powell) of Broomfield, CO, grandsons; London, Reece, and Andrew all of Olathe, sister; Kyle Hicks (John) of Silver Lake, sister; Karen Anderson of Topeka, mother-in-law; Tina Holloway, of Topeka, brother-in-law; Alan Holloway (Cathy) of Wichita, and her beloved nieces, nephews, and their families, a circle of friends and neighbors turned friends.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents and brother-in-law; Robert Holloway.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024, 1:00 pm, with visitation beginning an hour prior to service time, both at the Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, Kansas 66604. 

 Committal will follow services at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, Cancer Research at https://donate.cancer.org.-

Contributions can also be mailed to American Cancer Society, 

PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or by calling 1-800-227-2345

The family wishes to thank Dr. M. Hashmi, and the exceptional staff at the Stormont Vail Cancer Center in Topeka. 

To share a memory of Kathrine or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.