Holly Horton

Holly Horton Holly Horton, beloved Head of San Francisco's Live Oak School passed away at her home on December 7, 2009 having fought a courageous battle against cancer. Holly, born in 1951 in The Borough of Queens New York, eldest daughter of John J. Horton and Violet Walker Horton is survived by her loving sister Carole Parsons, Carole's husband Bruce, their sons Ryan and Drew; her step children Clayton Mannix and Meleah Mannix; Meleah's husband Ethan Wimert and their new daughter Dahlia; Brian Davis her devoted life-long friend; and aunts, cousins, and many, many friends. Holly earned a Master of Science in the Teaching of Reading from Wheelock College, and a BA in Developmental Psychology and Education from Briarcliff College, Holly devoted her life to helping children learn, grow and fulfill their potential. A former teacher and lower school head at The Town School in New York City, Holly moved to the Bay Area in 1989 to help lead the Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera as the Assistant Head for Academic Affairs where she worked for thirteen years. Appointed in 2002, Holly took the reigns of the Live Oak School in San Francisco and proceeded to lead the institution toward a full realization of its mission and vision. She dedicated countless hours to the school's success and she leaves an educational institution known for the care it provides to its students as well as the love seen amongst its community members. In addition to her headship, Holly served on the boards of the Bay Area Teacher Development Collaborative, the Marin Primary and Middle School in Larkspur, and Project Discover, a non-profit collaboration with the San Francisco Boys and Girls Clubs designed to provide enrichment and support to children at risk. Holly's life embodied the words of the Live Oak School song, "From an acorn seed to a Live Oak tree, we harvest what we sow." The many seeds of friendship and love she planted throughout her life culminated in relationships marked by honesty, integrity, care and joy. Her home, in particular, reflected a refined beauty and an eclectic hand-crafted sensibility that resonated love, comfort and a warm welcome to all who knew her. An avid gardener, Holly created a piece of paradise in her Potrero Hill home and garden that sparkled with her energy. Holly tended her garden as she tended the lives of the children, faculty and staff at Live Oak School, as well as the individuals in her life, paying careful attention to each person and offering love and a nurturing ear. She had a passion for games of all sorts, cooking and entertaining, and her robust connection to a joyful life filtered into everything she did and all her interactions. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 13th at 2:00 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco. The family encourages attendees to bring a favorite stemmed flower to create a communal bouquet to honor Holly. Donations may be made to The Holly Horton Scholarship Endowment Fund, Live Oak School, 1555 Mariposa St., San Francisco, CA 94107.