Our beloved Lois Hollis passed away on January 16, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
She is survived by her devoted daughters, Dr. Alicia Hollis and Andria (Paul) Tobin; her cherished grandchildren, Kaleb (13), Connor (11), and Dylan (9), all of whom affectionately called her Asha; her partner, Joseph Lipari; and her siblings, Gerry and Melvin. She is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Sobotka; her father, Melvin Sobotka; her brother, Kenny Sobotka; her former husband, Dr. Joseph Hollis; and her daughter, Angel Hollis Vaccaro. Lois is also remembered with deep affection by the many friends, colleagues, and kindred spirits whose lives were touched by her warmth and extraordinary heart.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Lois Hollis was one of four children raised in a Polish household, where she developed a love for kiełbasa, chruściki, and Polish dancing. From an early age, she discovered joy in creativity and movement—particularly sewing and tap dancing—interests that reflected her resourcefulness, curiosity, and determination. Later in life, learning she had dyslexia helped her better understand her own remarkable perseverance and deepened her compassion for others facing unseen challenges.
Driven by a deep desire to help people, Lois pursued a career in nursing. She earned her Registered Nursing degree from St. Joseph Hospital and later achieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She quickly became known for her leadership, fearlessness, and ability to make things happen. Using her talents in research, teaching, and consulting, Lois helped establish one of the first kidney hemodialysis units in the United States at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1966. In addition to teaching physicians, nurses, and staff how to care for hemodialysis patients both in hospitals and at home, she also co-founded the American Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians.
In her early twenties, Lois fully embraced life with enthusiasm and openness. She loved city living, walking everywhere, discovering restaurants and the arts, especially plays, and, above all, meeting new people wherever she went. During these years, she met Dr. Joseph Hollis while working at the hospital, famously offering to hem his lab coat. They later married and moved to Tidewater, Virginia, where Lois became the Director of the Kidney Hemodialysis Unit at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
As her daughters grew, Lois transitioned to part-time nursing and poured her heart into creating a home filled with warmth, friends, and comfort. The Hollis household was well known for pizza slumber parties, peach pancakes, movies, and an abundance of love. It was a place where everyone felt welcome.
As her journey evolved, Lois discovered a deep passion for holistic healing and later moved to Sedona, Arizona, where she met her partner, Dr. Joseph Lipari. She dedicated herself to guiding others toward physical and emotional wellness, helping hundreds of clients reconnect with themselves. She authored The Universe Speaks and Soul Speaks, books rooted in emotional healing. Lois also took great pride in sharing her healing philosophy through more than 250 podcasts across 14 countries, extending her care and message to an even wider community, and leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.
In her final chapter, Lois poured her boundless love into her grandchildren, treasuring the time she spent with them. From trips to the park and roller rinks to plays and movies, she embraced sharing experiences, laughter, and simple joys. Being Asha was a role she cherished deeply.
Even through life and health challenges, Lois carried joy and gratitude in her heart, along with a fighting spirit that inspired those around her. She will be most remembered for her ability to make others feel truly accepted, her strong will, her legendary appetite for life (and good food!), and her enormous heart. She lived with sincerity, curiosity, and love, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her and by countless others whose lives were quietly changed by her unwavering kindness.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held this spring in Tidewater, Virginia. Please contact the family for additional details. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lois's memory may be made to Kid Power, Inc. (kidpowerdc.org), an organization she supported with great pride and a love for youth education.
She is survived by her devoted daughters, Dr. Alicia Hollis and Andria (Paul) Tobin; her cherished grandchildren, Kaleb (13), Connor (11), and Dylan (9), all of whom affectionately called her Asha; her partner, Joseph Lipari; and her siblings, Gerry and Melvin. She is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Sobotka; her father, Melvin Sobotka; her brother, Kenny Sobotka; her former husband, Dr. Joseph Hollis; and her daughter, Angel Hollis Vaccaro. Lois is also remembered with deep affection by the many friends, colleagues, and kindred spirits whose lives were touched by her warmth and extraordinary heart.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Lois Hollis was one of four children raised in a Polish household, where she developed a love for kiełbasa, chruściki, and Polish dancing. From an early age, she discovered joy in creativity and movement—particularly sewing and tap dancing—interests that reflected her resourcefulness, curiosity, and determination. Later in life, learning she had dyslexia helped her better understand her own remarkable perseverance and deepened her compassion for others facing unseen challenges.
Driven by a deep desire to help people, Lois pursued a career in nursing. She earned her Registered Nursing degree from St. Joseph Hospital and later achieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She quickly became known for her leadership, fearlessness, and ability to make things happen. Using her talents in research, teaching, and consulting, Lois helped establish one of the first kidney hemodialysis units in the United States at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1966. In addition to teaching physicians, nurses, and staff how to care for hemodialysis patients both in hospitals and at home, she also co-founded the American Association of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians.
In her early twenties, Lois fully embraced life with enthusiasm and openness. She loved city living, walking everywhere, discovering restaurants and the arts, especially plays, and, above all, meeting new people wherever she went. During these years, she met Dr. Joseph Hollis while working at the hospital, famously offering to hem his lab coat. They later married and moved to Tidewater, Virginia, where Lois became the Director of the Kidney Hemodialysis Unit at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
As her daughters grew, Lois transitioned to part-time nursing and poured her heart into creating a home filled with warmth, friends, and comfort. The Hollis household was well known for pizza slumber parties, peach pancakes, movies, and an abundance of love. It was a place where everyone felt welcome.
As her journey evolved, Lois discovered a deep passion for holistic healing and later moved to Sedona, Arizona, where she met her partner, Dr. Joseph Lipari. She dedicated herself to guiding others toward physical and emotional wellness, helping hundreds of clients reconnect with themselves. She authored The Universe Speaks and Soul Speaks, books rooted in emotional healing. Lois also took great pride in sharing her healing philosophy through more than 250 podcasts across 14 countries, extending her care and message to an even wider community, and leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.
In her final chapter, Lois poured her boundless love into her grandchildren, treasuring the time she spent with them. From trips to the park and roller rinks to plays and movies, she embraced sharing experiences, laughter, and simple joys. Being Asha was a role she cherished deeply.
Even through life and health challenges, Lois carried joy and gratitude in her heart, along with a fighting spirit that inspired those around her. She will be most remembered for her ability to make others feel truly accepted, her strong will, her legendary appetite for life (and good food!), and her enormous heart. She lived with sincerity, curiosity, and love, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her and by countless others whose lives were quietly changed by her unwavering kindness.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held this spring in Tidewater, Virginia. Please contact the family for additional details. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lois's memory may be made to Kid Power, Inc. (kidpowerdc.org), an organization she supported with great pride and a love for youth education.
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