Dorothy Mary Holian

Dorothy Mary Holian, age 80, passed away suddenly on the evening of December 14, 2025. She was born on February 5, 1945 in Chicago IL, the youngest of three children born to Louis D. Holian and Dorothy Marie Beckman. She is survived by her brother Louis and his family, all of whom live in Illinois. Her sister Patsy, who also lived in Illinois, passed away recently.

Dorothy lived and worked in numerous places, making friends wherever she went. She worked for an airline and then as an x-ray tech, finally earning a PhD in psychology. "Doctor Dot" practiced in the mountains of Kentucky and has lived in Chicago, New York, Hawaii, California, Florida, and Kentucky, but she spent the last several years among her friends here in Virginia.

Dorothy was an outgoing person who was active in her church and several organizations. Her house and her front porch were filled with thriving plants, and outdoors there were bird feeders everywhere. One day last summer she left some apples in the back yard for the deer who visited there. When she checked to see if they had found their treat, she was astonished to see a black bear feasting on them instead. Surely there is a special place in Heaven for such a kind and generous woman.

There will be a memorial service at St. James Episcopal Church in Cartersville at a date to be determined. Please check the Marian Gray Thomas funeral home website for an update after the holidays. If you wish to honor our dear Dottie, please consider donating to her church, the Cumberland Library, The Cumberland Rescue Squad, the Cumberland Woman's Club, the Cartersville Garden Club, or a charity of your choosing.