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Catherine Ann Holman

2/4/1953 - 5/7/2026

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Obituary For Catherine Ann Holman

April 2, 1953 – July 5, 2026

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom, Catherine Ann Holman, who passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026, at the Grande Prairie Care Centre at the age of 73.
Mom was born on April 2, 1953, in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, to Stephen Donald Clyburn and Anna Belle (Mackenzie) Clyburn. When she was still very young, the family moved to Grimsby, Ontario, and later settled in St. Catharines, where she spent most of her childhood.
She grew up in a loving family where faith, kindness, hard work, and helping others were simply a way of life. She shared her childhood with her brothers and sisters Jane, Frank, Norman, and younger sister Mary. She always remembered that she had an older brother Kenneth, who sadly passed away at birth. The values her parents taught her stayed with her for the rest of her life.
Anyone who knew Mom knew what a kind and gentle person she was. She wasn’t someone who needed to be the center of attention. She was humble, caring, and had a quiet way of making everyone around her feel important. She made friends everywhere she went, and she left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
As a young woman, Mom spent time living with her oldest sister Jane and brother-in-law Tom in Portland, Oregon, where she attended the Montavilla School of Beauty. Every day she rode her bicycle several miles, including a long hill, just to get to school. That’s who she was. If there was something worth doing, she simply did it. She earned her beautician’s licence there before returning to Ontario to continue her training.
It was during her late teenaged years where she met the love of her life, Richard George Holman.
At aged 19 Mom and Dad were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 28, 1972. Together they built a marriage centered on faith, love, loyalty, and family. They spent more than 52 wonderful years together before Dad passed away on February 5, 2025.
Together they raised three boys—Richard Jr., Douglas, and Travis—and we were the greatest joy of her life.
In 1980 Mom and Dad moved west to Salt Prairie, Alberta, where Dad began working in the oil and gas industry. Those early years weren’t always easy. They lived for over two years in a small two-bedroom log cabin without running water. Looking back, it probably wasn’t easy at all, but Mom never complained. Somehow she had a gift for making wherever we lived feel like home. It didn’t matter how much money we had or what the house looked like. It was always filled with love, laughter, good food, music, and family.
After the boys were in school, Mom attended the Alberta Vocational Centre in Grouard to continue learning the trade she loved. She became well known throughout the High Prairie region as a talented hairstylist and barber. Friends, neighbours, and family all sat in her chair at one time or another, and more often than not she refused to accept payment. Helping people meant more to her than making money.
But cutting hair was only one of the many ways she served others.
Mom loved cooking for family gatherings. She loved decorating weddings and special occasions. She loved making crafts, giving thoughtful handmade gifts, and opening our home to anyone who needed a meal, a visit, or simply someone to listen. There was almost always music playing in the house, and some of my favourite memories are dancing around the living room with Mom as kids.
Her sister Jane often says that nobody could make her laugh the way Cathy could. They shared countless adventures together, and those stories are still told today with smiles and laughter.
Family was everything to Mom.
Nothing made her happier than watching her children and grandchildren grow. She celebrated every milestone, worried about every hardship, and loved each one of us without condition. No matter what was happening in life, we always knew Mom was in our corner.
Catherine is lovingly remembered by her sons Richard Jr., Douglas, and Travis; her grandchildren Jaclyn, Ava, Jordana, Reese, Maddison, Owen, Macy, Hudson, and Jaxon; and her precious great-grandson Traxton. She also carried in her heart the memory of her beloved granddaughter Sophia, who passed away at birth.
She is also lovingly remembered by her sister Jane, brother Norman, sister Mary, sisters-in-laws Janie and Christine, many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, clients and everyone whose lives she quietly touched through her kindness.
Mom was predeceased by the love of her life, Richard George Holman, on February 5, 2025; by her parents Stephen Donald Clyburn and Anna Belle (Mackenzie) Clyburn; by her brother Frank Clyburn; and by her infant brother Kenneth Clyburn.
If there is one thing we hope people remember about Mom, it’s how she made people feel.
She never looked for recognition. She simply saw someone who needed help and quietly stepped in. Whether it was a haircut, a home-cooked meal, a handmade gift, or just sitting down for a conversation, she gave her whole heart to the people around her.
The world is a better place because she was here.
Our hearts are broken, and we will miss her more than words can ever say. But we’re grateful for every lesson she taught us, every sacrifice she made, and every memory she gave us. We find comfort knowing she is once again with Dad, and that the love they created together lives on through all of us.
We love you, Mom.
You will be missed every single day, loved forever, and forgotten by none
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 bcfh.ca

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  • 05/08/2026

    Tina Jeffery

    So so sad to hear. Catherine was truly a dear heart. I have so many good memories of her and I laughing, enjoying Corrie and even a crazy trip to Edmonton. Truly a kind and generous person, my life was so enriched by her. All my sympathies to Doug, Richard and Travis and their families. Tina Joe and the boys

  • 17/07/2026

    Kathy crompton mask

    Saddened to hear the news of cousin Catherine's passing.. our cape breton connection always includes the Clyburn clan when they would visit us on the island .Catherine made the journey back a number of years ago and we were delighted to spend the afternoon reminiscing of our Mackenzie family bond. Condolences to her loving family and may all your wonderful memories of kind and gentle Catherine be a comfort at this time With love Cousin Kathy Crompton Mask

  • 16/07/2026

    Anna Stites

    My aunt Catherine was kind, generous, funny, and creative. She never gave herself credit for how wonderful she was. In the early, family years, I was the only little girl around. She treated me like a princess and brought out the girl in me after I'd been hanging out with all the boys all day. She did my hair. She taught me crafts. She bought me jewelry. She did my hair for our wedding and she and Uncle Rick emptied out, white washed and decorated my dad's workshop as a space for our wedding reception (Doug helped too, I think). Catherine made upcycled, patchwork, denim blankets for me and my kids. I use it every night watching t.v.. She always kept me knowing how much she loved me, even when it was difficult for her to speak. I should have done more for her. I'll miss her.

  • 16/07/2026

    Michelle McLellan

    Rick, Doug and Travis, I am so deeply sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Catherine was a truly extraordinary woman and, without a doubt, the kindest and most caring person I have ever known. She will be missed dearly, my heart goes out to your family.

  • 15/07/2026

    Mary Clyburn

    My big sister Catherine was one not to mess with. She was strong and proud of her family and would fight for all of us, siblings, children, grandchildren and friends. She had a real talent with arts and design that showed in everthing she did. Even with her salon name "Do or dye with Catherine". She's whitty and pretty in all she did. She deeply loved her parents also. Proud of her ancestry. I will miss Catherine mostly for the spirit she had and her love for life. Her love for her family and the beauty she saw in all things. Farewell Dee. Love always. Dink.

  • 15/07/2026

    Jaci Holman

    Nana was like having a second home when I was a kid. I was always over visiting, having slumber parties with my cousins, getting my hair done, playing games on her old computer in the basement, watching horror movies and shows with her. Those are the some of my best memories of my childhood and my Nana. She had a way of making me and everyone else feel special and i'm going to miss her forever. I hope we remember Nana not by her last days but by her lifetime of love she gave everyone she met. She will always be apart of me. I love you Nana.

  • 15/07/2026

    Jane Stites

    There are some relationships in life that are impossible to fully explain. The bond between sisters is one of them. Catherine was part of my life from the very beginning. Before we became wives, mothers and grandmothers, we were simply sisters. We shared a childhood, a family and a history that belonged to the two of us in a way no one else could completely understand. To me, she was Catherine, and in our younger years, she was Cat. When I think of Cat, I do not first think about dates, places or milestones. I think about the person she was. I think about her gentle heart, her quiet strength and the warmth she carried with her. Catherine did not need to make a great deal of noise to leave an impression. Her kindness spoke for her. She was someone who felt things deeply. She cared deeply about her family and about the people around her. She noticed when someone needed comfort, encouragement or simply a little kindness. She gave those things naturally, without expecting attention or praise. Catherine and I shared a lifetime of memories. Some were important moments, but many were ordinary ones—the conversations, the laughter and the comfort of knowing that my sister was there. Those simple moments become so precious when someone is gone. There is a special freedom that comes from being with a sister. A sister remembers who you were before the rest of the world knew you. She knows the family stories, the private jokes and the little things that would mean nothing to anyone else. Catherine and I shared all of that. Like all sisters, we were different in some ways, but the love between us was always there. Time passed, life changed and distance separated us, but she remained my sister. That connection never disappeared. I admired Catherine's strength. Life was not always easy for her, but she continued forward with courage. Even during difficult times, the caring and generous person inside her remained. Illness may have changed what she was able to do, but it never changed who she was. It is painful to imagine this world without her in it. There will always be things I wish I could tell her, memories I wish we could talk about again and moments when I will want to hear her voice. I will miss her more than words can say. But I am also grateful. I am grateful that Catherine was my sister. I am grateful for the years we shared, for the memories that belong to us and for the love that will continue long after her passing. Catherine, I hope you always knew how much I loved you. I hope you knew how important you were to me and how proud I was to call you my sister. You will always be part of me, Cat. I will remember you with love, speak your name with pride and carry you in my heart for the rest of my life. With all my love, Your sister, Jane Stites

  • 14/07/2026

    Gloria Coles

    Catherine was a great friend many times I had hair cuts from her..

  • 14/07/2026

    Jane Stites

    Very sad my sister Catherine has passed. She was a big part of my life. I will miss her each day. She was very talented creating beauty with her sizzors, crafts, meals, home decor and quick humor. Love forever. Jane Stites

  • 14/07/2026

    Anna Stites

    She was exceptionally strong, athletic,and funny . A joy to be around as a true part of our family in Portland, Oregon and later bringing Rick and children to live for a couple years in our old log cabin in Salt Prairie Alberta after our family moved into our new home nearby on the property. Rick and I became close friends and hunting partners. Along with Our friend and fellow hunter Don Carlson We harvested deer,Moose and bear for our freezers. The Holmans and Stites were close for many years. Al ways close. Tom Stites

  • 14/07/2026

    Janet Blackbourn

    Sorry for your loss. I worked with your mom and she was my hairdresser for years. She will be missed by all.

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