Mary Katharine "Kitty" Holmes

Mary Katharine “Kitty” Holmes passed away on November 05, 2016, at Corsica Hills, in Centreville, MD. She was 92. Born on September 7, 1924, in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of the late Lamar and Isabelle (Lane) Mills, she grew up in the Pimlico area but spent many summer days visiting family in Queen Anne’s County. Kitty shared her memories of old Kent Island and the farms and the life of this area so that her Eastern Shore roots would become family lore. After the 11th grade, she soon met Doug, the love of her life. It was Doug who gave her the name Kitty, which she cherished all her life. They married January 1, 1943, before he entered army service in WWII. Her first son Doug Jr. arrived November 17, 1943, while his dad was away. Son #2, Bryan, followed in August 1946. She longed for a little girl to dress up and teach to cook. But instead, was blessed with two more sons, Tom in January 1953, and Keith in August 1958. As a homemaker Kitty was known for her amazing baking skills and her first outside the home jobs reflected these skills, first at the local drug stores lunch counter and later as manager of bakeries at E.J. Korvette and Pantry Pride. Her last job was as a cashier at the new Kmart, “Miss Kitty” was a resounding success-- honest, dependable, flexible, kind and friendly. Kitty excelled most in loving her Lord and her family. Those are her most valued achievements and defined her life. She loved with words and actions. She was able to return to her beloved Eastern Shore for her last 28 years and be surrounded by family and friends. Kitty is survived by her children, Douglas Holmes Jr. (Lila) of Queenstown, MD, Bryan Holmes, Sr. (June), Thomas Holmes Sr. (Jennie), Keith Holmes (Diane); 11 grandchildren, Doug III, Amy; Bryan Jr., Kerri, Kathy, Brad, Jeremy, Willie, Thomas Jr., Brett, J. Rebecca; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great- grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas A Holmes, Sr. Visitations will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 6-8 p.m. and Friday, November 18 from 10-11 a.m. at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Chester, MD, where services will be held on Friday November 18, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kent Island United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 308, Chester MD, 21619.

Mary Katharine "Kitty" Holmes

September 7, 1924 - November 5, 2016