Catherine A. "Kate" Holod

Catherine Ann Halligan-Holod passed with dignity, love, and peace, surrounded by beloved family on July 2nd, 2025. Catherine, or Kate, as she liked to be called, was born on July 21, 1949, to Veronica Margaret Halligan (Dougherty) and Edward Thomas Halligan in Philadelphia, PA. She was born into a close-knit Irish Catholic family, consisting of two older sisters and two younger brothers. From a young age, she showed a deep spirituality, a gift for the violin, and a brilliance of mind and soul. She graduated 3rd in her high school class and was the 2nd violin chair in her high school orchestra.
Kate aspired to become a Carmelite nun, but thankfully did not take that path; otherwise, her children and grandchildren would not be in the world. Yet, her deep faith remained a foundational part of who she was, including a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a profound relationship to her guardian angel.
Kate graduated from Little Flower High School for Girls. Early in her career, she sold costume jewelry at Wanamaker's and worked as a court stenographer in Center City. She took some college courses in pursuit of an Engineering degree, as she was brilliant at math and numbers. Despite the world preventing her from completing her college degree, she went on to serve as the financial controller for two multi-million-dollar roofing companies for over 29 years. She bought her own home in Bensalem, PA, and was extremely proud of that accomplishment, as well as of the widened access to education and opportunity that her children and grandchildren enjoy due to her sacrifice.
Her children and grandchildren are her greatest legacy, along with the deep love and loyalty she showed her family and dear friends. Her children recognize and honor her sacrifice. She was a wonderful mother and Nanny. Her children are proud to call her their mother. She was very good, she loved very hard, and it was a gift to be loved by her. She had a profound strength, courage, and a love for her family that was transformative and healing.
Her friendship with and devotion to her mother, Veronica Halligan, was core to her life and being. They spent one day a week together, shopping, going on adventures, having lunch, praying, and/or running errands, from the time Kate was very young until the end of Veronica's life. She also maintained joyful and abiding friendships with all of her siblings, each of whom were extremely precious to her. Kate was her father's affectionately named "squirrel." She was so proud of her Dad and deeply respected him.
Kate was an animal whisperer, like her mother, Veronica, before her, and her grandson, Teddy, after her. She rescued countless stray cats, fed the birds and squirrels on her patio, and had deep, special soul connections with many animals in her life, including but not limited to: Puli, Smokey, Petecat, Clarabelle, Cuddles, Baby, Runtly, Rizzo, and Romeo. Her granddogs, Luna and Dorothy, adore her, and they will miss their Nanny.
Kate had a love for delicious food and a flair for fashion; one of her favorite things to do was dress up and take herself to a new or favorite restaurant, bringing along whatever book she was reading at the time. She also loved to dance and was extremely proud of her granddaughter Lucia's gift for dance. She loved gardening, adventure, travel, her iced tea, a thrill, a murder mystery, true crime, or a blow-'em-away action story. She loved spending time with her grandchildren most of all. She had a keen sense of humor and was unexpectedly, deeply funny. Her smile could light up your heart, and the mischievous twinkle in her eye at times reminded you: this is life, you are alive.
She is survived by her children and their partners: Veronica and Ted Vingless of Holland, PA, Cayden Halligan and Brett Smith-Hams of Mt. Laurel, NJ; her grandchildren, Teddy and Lucia; and two grand dogs, Luna and Dorothy. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Bondura, of Philadelphia, PA; her sister, Patricia Lowry, of Langhorne, PA; her brother, Edward Halligan, and his wife, Cecilia Rose Halligan, of Philadelphia, PA; and her brother, James Halligan, and his wife, Michelle Johnson-Halligan, of Philadelphia, PA. She is also survived by many dearly loved nieces and nephews, her extended family, and her close friends. She was preceded in death by her Carl Holod; her parents; and her sister Patricia Lowry's husband, Edward Lowry, of Langhorne, PA. Kate loved life. She is deeply loved. There are no words to describe how deeply she will be missed. And we also know and feel that her spirit stays with us still. All our love, always. We love you so, Mama.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Monday, July 14th, 2025, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Tuesday, July 15th, 2025, from 8:45 AM until 10:15 AM at Louis A. DiGiacomo Funeral Home, Inc., 1055 Southampton Road, Philadelphia PA 19116, followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM at St. Christopher's Church, 13301 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19116. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, 101 Byberry Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.
Flowers are welcome, but if you prefer to donate, please consider giving to the Pennsylvania Society for the Protection of Animals at 350 E Erie Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134, where Kate's mother worked.