Linda K. Holloway

There is one more bright star in the sky tonight.

It is with much heartbreak that we must announce the passing of our beloved Linda (Krelberg) Holloway at the age of 75 at her home of 43 years in Louisville, Kentucky. She was the most loving, selfless and inspirational wife, mother, Mimi, sister, daughter, friend, teacher and librarian. Heaven has gained an angel today but our world is poorer for her loss. She is survived by her husband Tom Holloway, her daughters Kati Noakes and Amanda Lindemann, and her sister Judy Gawlik.

We take comfort in the fact that she lives on through all of us - she has had such a profound impact on so many and we know her love will live on in all those she has touched throughout her life. Her legacy is her infinite love for her family and friends. Her husband Tom was blessed to have a 53-year marriage with her. He fell in love at first sight when they met in college and proposed 3 months later (she said yes - enticed by the prospect of instate college tuition). They were married 9 months later surrounded by family and friends, and then he convinced her to travel around Europe for 16 weeks in their car after the wedding. A truly once in a lifetime experience and one that inspired many happy adventures later on - camping trips at Barren River, annual Florida trips and European vacations. They had many years of happiness especially after starting a family together in Louisville. Linda also worked tirelessly side- by-side with Tom on the rental houses over the years but it meant they could enjoy their winters in Florida swimming or reading by the beach in retirement.

Without a doubt, her greatest gift was her two children, Kati and Amanda, who have been blessed by a lifetime of her endless love, generosity, precious childhood memories, invaluable life lessons and her extremely close relationship with her 5 grand-children Caroline, John, Elizabeth Lindemann, and Charlie and George Noakes. Although her grandchildren live a little further away (England and Tennessee), she still spent a significant amount of time and infinitely happy memories with her grandchildren either in Kentucky, Florida, her sister's place in St Joseph, Michigan, months at Kati's home in England and Amanda's home in Texas, NYC and Nashville. She was 'Mimi' to her grandchildren and had the most incredibly special connection with them.

She also has a very special relationship with her 98 - year old mother-in-law Molly Susnjara and also her many nieces and nephews - Heidi, Frannie, Jill, Noah, Henry, Natalie and Nathan, and their families as well as all her cousins.

Linda grew up on the south side of Chicago with her adoring mother and father- Shirley and Lloyd Krelberg and her sister, Judy Gawlik. She took her role of Big Sister seriously, always guiding and protecting her little sister. Their bond is more than just sisters, but also as best friends. And she has played a very important role of supportive and loving Aunt Linda in the life of Judy and Tom's boys, TJ and Mike and their growing families. She also has many fond memories on the beach at St Joe's, Michigan with Judy and her husband Tom.

Linda spent many happy days at Lake Wawasee boating and waterskiing with her family. Her beloved grandmother, Momo, was a key role model and avid supporter throughout her life. Linda gained her fierce determination at Morgan Park High School and went on to follow her dreams of being a teacher gaining her teaching degree at Indiana University in Bloomington. She went on to do a Masters of Library Science as well. Her true passion was her love of books and she inspired many to discover their own passion for reading.

She started out teaching near Bloomington in Indiana, moving on to become a phenomenal Kindergarten and First Grade teacher and then a librarian at Hite Elementary in Louisville – a very special place where she created some unforgettable friendships that continued even after her retirement at the age of 62. Over the course of her teaching career, spanning 22 years, Linda changed the lives of hundreds of her students, created such gold-standard teaching programmes that they are still being followed today, transformed the library into a modern media centre and was even awarded 'Teacher of the Year' for the State of Kentucky. But her real impact is felt in the gratitude of former students and parents that have reached out over the years and thanked her for all she did for them and their children – she always went above and beyond for every one of her students and her commitment and generosity was even more far-reaching than she will ever truly know.

Linda's endless generosity extended to her multitude of friendships made over the years – some created in the early years of raising young children in Beckley Woods and others were newer, but they were all precious and lasting friendships that became more like family. She was the first to make a casserole for a friend in need or babysit their kids, spend the night in hospital with a friend going through chemo treatments or say prayers for anyone who needed them. There is no one more caring or giving.
She has been an inspirational and courageous warrior this past year battling cancer - her strong faith and unwavering positivity has meant that she has been at peace with this last chapter and her transition into the next heavenly world. She has truly had a life well lived full of love, family and friendships. It has been a true privilege to walk by her side and we have all treasured every moment- it has been a blessing and an honour to be there for her through every season of her life and all we feel is immense gratitude and love for what she gave to us – for all of our lives are forever changed by Linda.

Memorial

We are having a small private family service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to offer a donation in her memory, we ask that you contribute to St Jude's children's charity, a cause dear to Linda's heart. Lastly, please take a moment to celebrate her life in your own way (volunteer to read at a school donate books, raise a glass) and say a prayer for our wonderful Linda.