Kathleen Elizabeth Holowach

Kathleen Elizabeth Teague Holowach died peacefully at home on Friday, June 26, surrounded by family. Her powerful love for her daughters, grandsons, husband, and others was radiant and constant, reaching “beyond the moon and the stars.”

Kathi was born in Burbank, California, on October 7, 1951, to Betty Harvey and John Richard Teague. She was the third of four children. In 1958, her family moved to La Mesa and quickly became engaged in that growing community.

In 1968, at only sixteen years old, she graduated from Helix High School. Her youth was filled with activities that entered family lore: Girl Scouts, Candy Striping, the high school newspaper staff, Girl’s League President, Job’s Daughters, and marching and concert bands.

She continued playing clarinet in the band at San Diego State, from which she graduated in 1972. She continued at SDSU for two more degrees, her teaching credential and Masters of Education.

Kathi was a gifted teacher. Her first role was in middle school special education in Cajon Valley. It was a vocation that suited her natural ability to notice others’ needs, even if unexpressed or inexpressible. Many dinner tables were adorned with loving laughter among Kathi and her teacher friends who delighted in their challenging but deeply rewarding work.

Kathi saw value in everyone, but especially the people who were sometimes overlooked. If she saw a person with severe  disabilities in public, she would say with a glimmer, “He’s one of mine.” Kathi believed that “fair and equal are not the same.” People’s needs differed. She strove to fill the gap between what they were given and what they needed.

In 1978, Kathi married Gary Holowach, another Helix and SDSU — and marching band — alumnus. Their first daughter, Lindsay, was born in 1982, and their second, Courtney, in 1985. The family loved camping, taking long summer drives to national parks, and frequent gatherings with Teague and Holowach relatives. 

Kathi next joined the faculty at SDSU to teach education courses and supervise student teachers around the county. She helped coordinate dozens of blocks of student teachers and was frequently on the house phone with them, consoling or advising. The end-of-year student teacher parties at the Holowach house were celebratory affairs.

Always devoted to friends, family, and the community, Kathi became a Girl Scout leader for Courtney’s grade level. She was a fixture in her daughters’ classrooms at Vista Grande Elementary School and at Valhalla High School events. As a member of the Thursday Club, she loved the amazing members and working the annual rummage sale.

Kathi was intellectual and curious. She read widely, watched CSpan avidly, and kept correspondence with many friends around the country. She was a constant source of comfort, counsel, and friendship for Lindsay and Courtney. She was also, along with Gary, an essential caregiver to her grandsons, August and Truman.

Kathi has always been a giver, thinking of others, performing acts of kindness to family and friends with a meaningful personal touch. She was warm and ever thoughtful. She knew what was needed and just the right words to say. Her many years of unselfish generosity of spirit will continue to sustain her loved ones for a very long time.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years; daughters; grandsons; siblings Richard, Bill, and Aileen; and many nieces and nephews.