Obituary of Kathleen E. Holtz

Kathleen Elizabeth (Hirst) Holtz, 78, of Hamburg, NY passed away on September 27, 2024. Born November 24, 1945 in Portsmouth, Virginia she was a daughter of the late Herbert Stanley (Stan) and Mary (Fitzpatrick) Hirst. Kathy graduated from Olean High School in 1963 and attended Alfred State College. She was a stay-at-home mom and later a teaching assistant at Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES. She served several terms as the president of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Support Staff union. She retired in 2008. Kathy was a parish council member of the Church of the Epiphany in Sodus and a charter member of the Sodus Lioness Club. She married John Edward Holtz on June 12, 1971. They were married for 38 years until John’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2009. They resided for 32 years in Sodus, NY, Kathy relocated to Hamburg, NY in 2010. She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Walter Malesa) Austin of Hamburg, NY; Christine (David Scott) Holtz of Pittsburgh, PA; and Michael Holtz of Rochester, NY. Grandchild Katherine Austin and step-grandchildren Walter Malesa Jr., Bryce Austin, Raymond and Holly Scott. Her siblings Mary Lynn Kotin of Webster, NY; Thomas (Carol) Hirst of Cincinnati, OH; Stephen (Barbara) Hirst of Ellicottville, NY; Gail Hirst of Allegany, NY; and Anne (Otis) Wilson of Grand Rapids, MI. She was predeceased by her parents Herbert Stanley and Mary Fitzpatrick Hirst and her husband John Edward Holtz. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Fiddler’s Green Manor for the compassionate care and kindness they provided Kathy in her final days. Their support and dedication brought comfort during a difficult time, for which we are deeply grateful. A visitation will be held on Friday October 18th from 4-6 p.m. at the Casey, Halwig and Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean A graveside service will take place on Saturday (October 19, 2024) at noon at the Allegany Cemetery. Father Steven Keuhn, OFM, of St. Bonaventure University, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy's memory to one of her favorite charities, the Kidney Foundation of Western New York, 4444 Bryant and Stratton Way, Williamsville, NY 14221 or to the Sodus Pride Lioness Club, ℅ Karen Torr, Treasurer, 6669 Redman Road, Williamson, NY 14589. Contributions would make a lasting impact and would be deeply appreciated by both Kathy and her family.