Roll Call Tribute

Kathryn Elizabeth (Rowland) Holbrook 

June 23, 1970 - May 7, 2026 

Some people are just larger than life - that was Kathryn. Anyone who knew her would be forgiven for believing she would live forever with the joyous spirit that she had. Sadly, we learned otherwise far too soon. Kathryn Elizabeth Holbrook (Rowland) was born on June 23, 1970, in Baytown, Texas. She was the youngest of four kids born to the incomparable Linda Louise and John Douglas Rowland, Sr. It is fitting that they were there to meet her when she left this world.

During one of Kathryn's cancer treatments she was required to write a sentence several times a day to monitor any signs of neurological side-effects. Her choice of sentence says everything about her - "I love my family" it read. Family was everything to her; and her expansive definition of family was at the core of who she was.

Kathryn was a devoted daughter to Linda and John Sr., and cared for them with love and gusto until their deaths in 2020 and 2022, respectively. She was always grateful that they moved to San Antonio where they played an active role as grandparents. Kathryn's older brother, John Douglas Rowland, Jr., and his wife, Angela, were some of her favorite people. She counted on John Jr. and Angela in so many ways, and they were always there for her.

Kathryn met the love of her life, Blaine A. Holbrook, while attending Texas A&M University. They eloped in October 1994, and celebrated their marriage in a beautiful ceremony in January 1995. Together, they built a life marked by deep love, enduring friendship, laughter, and unwavering devotion. They were not only husband and wife, but were truly each other's best friends. Kathryn often said Blaine made her life more interesting, and she cherished the quiet, happy life they shared together. As Blaine lovingly says, the secret to their remarkable marriage was simple: they genuinely liked each other.

Kathryn and Blaine welcomed two children in quick succession: Linda Eleise in February 2001and Aric Nils in June 2002. Kathryn embraced motherhood with fierce love, endless energy, and complete devotion. She was an extraordinary mother who never hesitated to blaze her own parenting trail, always guided by what she believed was best for her children and never concerned with outside opinions.

She filled her children's lives with adventure and discovery - traveling with them to Chicago, Memphis, Florida, Costa Rica, London, Vancouver, Seattle, Paris, Belize, Puerto Rico, Colorado, New Mexico, and New York, along with countless camping trips and family adventures closer to home. At the same time, she balanced that joy and spontaneity with high expectations, discipline, and an unwavering belief in her children's potential.

Eleise and Aric rose to meet those expectations, graduating from college and building lives that made Kathryn immensely proud. She spoke about their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. In recent months, Kathryn was especially excited about Eleise's engagement to Josh Golla, whom she absolutely adored.

Kathryn leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and second-generation cousins that she adored. She relished watching them grow up and be happy. She was ever the doting aunt who would spoil them as much as she could and as often as she could. They made her truly happy.

Kathryn was someone everyone wanted to be around. She was a deeply loyal friend and believed that friendships mattered. This is evidenced by so many friends that had been around for 20, 30, 40, even 50 years! Her circle of friends dates back to her early days in Baytown, her time at Texas A&M University, and her life in San Antonio. Not to be limited by her social circles, Kathryn turned most of her work colleagues into friends as well. She was loved by so many and she loved so many people in return.

Kathryn built an accomplished professional career. She served as a Vice President at Wells Fargo, where she managed corporate training and earned the respect of colleagues through her professionalism, insight, and ability to mentor and develop others.

Kathryn battled the last 12 years with a series of cancers. After her first cancer, she said she did not want cancer to be "who she was". She fought to maintain who she was even as she battled vigorously with each new cancer that came her way. Her sense of humor remained intact. Somehow she still remembered birthdays and special milestones. She rarely showed how much the cancers and their treatments weighed on her. Each time Kathryn faced a new cancer, she did so with a renewed sense of purpose - always battling to beat her cancer so she could continue being a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Ultimately on May 7, 2026, after beating breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and mantle cell lymphoma, she succumbed to a rare form of leukemia. She went down fighting, giving it everything she had. Kathryn has certainly earned her way to eternal peace.

Kathryn will be missed by all those who knew her, but especially by her family that she adored so much. Rest in paradise Kathryn.