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Mary Elizabeth (McGowan) Holmes

1932 – 2024

Posted 2/13/24

Mary Elizabeth (McGowan) Holmes passed away February 10, 2024. She was born June 13, 1932 in an Irish neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. She retained a Brooklyn accent, a quick wit, an Irish charm …

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Mary Elizabeth (McGowan) Holmes

1932 – 2024

Posted
Mary Elizabeth (McGowan) Holmes passed away February 10, 2024.
 
She was born June 13, 1932 in an Irish neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. She retained a Brooklyn accent, a quick wit, an Irish charm throughout her life and a strong sense of right and wrong.
 
She married William “Coach” Holmes and together they raised five children: Kathleen (Sam) Stroupe, Thomas Holmes, Michele Holmes, Mary Alice Holmes and Karen (Jim) White. 
 
She was a stay at home wife for many years. She contributed to the success of Coach Holmes’ football career including once feeding the team three meals daily for two weeks prior to the start of the college term. 
 
She was motivated to complete her teaching degree in three years due to a brief serious illness her husband overcame. Her professional life included teaching, being a principal, cooking and running a catering business, The Village Place in Fayette. Later, she returned to college to become a registered nurse.
 
She enjoyed many hobbies and gave many of her homemade quilts and bars of soap to family and friends. She might have been afraid because of the challenges she faced, but she was admired and loved by those fortunate enough to know her. 
 
A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Mary’s life.