Alma Alice Kolkman

She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 21, 1938 to Elizabeth Frances (Yourick) Hahalyak and George ‘Dutch’ Hahalyak. Alma graduated from Taylor Allerdice HS in 1956. Soon thereafter she wed Dick Jan Kolkman and was happily married for 59 years.

Alma was a stay-at-home mom for many years while she and Dick raised their two children in Gibsonia, PA. She did, however, work many different roles over the years including as a tour guide for Hartwood Acres Estates in Pittsburgh, PA, a cookware sales specialist, and a tax analyst. Alma had a passion for education and spent many years as an elected member of the Hampton Township School Board, including serving several terms as board president. When Dick retired, the couple moved to Sanford, NC to enjoy the warmth and be closer to their daughter, Erin and her family. Widowed in December of 2020, Alma moved to Cary, NC where she spent her final days enjoying the companionship of new friends, reading books, and playing bridge nearly every day.

Alma thoroughly enjoyed cruising with Dick and close friends as together they explored destinations across Europe. She was an avid cook and known to have the best beef vegetable soup on the block. Despite her residency in the Carolina’s, Alma remained a loyal Pittsburgh ‘Steelers’ & ‘Pens’ fan. Alma had a quick-witted humor, determined nature, but mostly known for her kind and generous heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and George and husband, and best friend, Dick. Alma is survived by her two children, Erin Jennifer (Kolkman) O’Connor and Richard John Kolkman, and six grandchildren, Nola, Lauren, Megan, Christopher, Claire, and Addison. Her sister, Marian (Hahalyak) Liddell.

A celebration of life will be held, 2:00 pm, Monday September 23, 2024 at The Templeton of Cary, 215 Brightmore Drive, Cary, NC 27518. The family request is in lieu of flowers please consider one of Alma's charitable causes that was close to her heart, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, SD (stjo.org/flowers).

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the “Add a Memory” box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Kolkman family.