Catherine Teresa (Wickenheiser) Holmes, 89, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2016. Most recently a resident of the Bel Air Health and Rehabilitation Center, Bel Air, MD. She was born in Baltimore, daughter of the late Anthony J. and Angelica Marley Wickenheiser. Catherine also hailed from Noank, and Poquanic Bridge, CT; Columbia, and Pittsburgh, PA; Atlanta, GA; and St. Petersburg, FL. She met William Louie Holmes at a USO Dance at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. SSgt. Holmes, a hero from Darby’s First Ranger Battalion, and they were subsequently married at St. Patrick’s Church in Havre de Grace, MD.
One of four children, she was predeceased by her husband: William L. Holmes, two brothers: Robert and Anthony Wickenheiser and one sister: Mary Alice Cromwell. The unofficial caretaker, and matriarch of the family, she traveled extensively to see to it that everybody’s needs were met, even going to Germany. Her other travels took her across the country from Florida to Alaska and over the Arctic Circle. She also went to England, Scotland, France and Israel. Working at a variety of jobs while raising her two boys, her most interesting was at Honeywell, using a binocular microscope as she micro-soldered and assembled the fuses of the submarine launched Polaris/Poseidon Nuclear Missiles. At 5’4 inches, she stood off crowds of 100 plus rowdy teenagers during Spring Break at a hotel in Redington Beach, FL. She remained active until age 83 when she suffered two strokes and went into the nursing home where she remained mentally active until her passing. A favorite among the staff, she was considered “sweet” and a pleasure to be around.
She is survived by her two sons: Stephen William (Cheryl) Holmes, and Samuel Louis Holmes. Her only grandson: William Anthony Holmes.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church, 121 South Second Street, Columbia on Friday, June 24, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Steven W. Fauser, Celebrant. Final Commendation and Farewell will be in Fairview Cemetery, Wrightsville. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Columbia/Mountville. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.