Carolyn Cahal Holder

Carolyn was born March 25, 1940 in Evanston, IL to Mac Fullerton Cahal and Wilma Marhsall Cahal. Carolyn was raised in Chicago and Kansas City, where she graduated from Sunset Hill School in 1957. Carolyn attended Goucher College in Maryland for two years before transferring and graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Carolyn received her bachelor’s of arts and sciences degree in English from CU. She was also on the senior class exec council, in glee club, and religion in life association.

Returning to Kansas City, Carolyn worked in editorial management at the American Academy of Family Physicians, and later as a paralegal with two well respected Kansas City law firms. Never one to sit still, Carolyn was a life-long supporter of many civic organizations. In addition to her career, Carolyn was in the 1961 class of the Belles of the American Royal (BOTAR) and kept active with BOTAR for more than 60 years, including as past Ball Chairman and many other committee roles. Additionally, Carolyn was a member of the Junior League, a volunteer for KCPT Channel 19 auction for years, active with CCVI, volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), as well as Chairperson of the Tour De Forks supporting the Crested Butte Center for the Arts.

Carolyn’s colleagues and friends remember her as an outgoing, joyous and supportive spirit. She was always excited to challenge herself, including with her hiking group in Crested Butte, Colorado, which fueled her life-long passion for the mountains, stemming from her years at Cheley Colorado Camps and extended through two generations of her family. Mostly, friends remember her for her warmth and authenticity, especially with her adopted “Potluck Dinner Group” family in Kansas City.

Carolyn met her husband Don through friends in 1961, and the two were wed in September 1963 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Don and Carolyn enjoyed many travels and adventures together in their 56-year marriage, including vacation homes in Lake of the Ozarks, Crested Butte, CO, and Tubac, AZ. Throughout their experiences, Carolyn was surrounded by an ever-growing set of friends and fans. Carolyn was generous with both her smile and her support, finding non-profits and charitable organizations to support in all of her adopted locations.

Don and Carolyn raised their family in Overland Park and Leawood and were a fixture in their children’s lives and those of their friends.

Carolyn was loving and warm. She was a wonderful wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed travels, cooking, their beloved dogs, and most especially she loved being a grandmother and doting on her grandsons the past 21 years.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Heather, of Prairie Village, son, Christopher, and grandsons, Sam and Luke, all of Loudoun County, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents, Mac and Willie, her brother, Bill, and her daughter-in-law who she cherished, Laura Majestic Holder.

The family will host a Celebration of Life service, honoring both Carolyn and Don, during the Thanksgiving week on November 26th, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 6630 Nall Avenue, Mission, KS 66202.

The family also thanks Care Haven Homes for the exceptional quality of care and support provided during Carolyn’s stay.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation can be made in Carolyn’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, BOTAR, or the John Austin Cheley Foundation.