Monroe native Katherine Holcomb will celebrate her 100th birthday on February 26 surrounded by family and friends. Born to Hugh and Charlotte (Kelly) Nixon, who settled in Monroe from Middlepoint, Ohio, Katherine is one of a remarkable family that included a sister, Marguerite, who lived to 101. After graduating from Monroe High School, Katherine worked as a bookkeeper and seamstress at several Monroe businesses, including Pennys, Klines, Moores Jewelers, and later devoted many years to the Bethany Child Care Center in Frenchtown. A woman of deep faith, she has attended several local churches and is now a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church. Lifelong friendships have also blessed her, especially with the beloved “Chat and Chew” group from her high school days.
In 2018, Katherine courageously faced breast cancer and has been cancer-free since treatment. She is the proud mother of five children—Kathie (Tom) Thorn, Charlotte (Rick) Peer, Deb (George) Kiehler, Amy Maus, and Mark (Kim) Fleszar—along with 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 40 great-great-grandchildren. Katherine credits her long life to her faith, family, and resilience, which carried her through childhood polio and life’s many blessings. She feels her greatest accomplishment has simply been faithfully walking the path her faith laid before her—caring for a widening circle of others, especially children. Loved by generations, Katherine’s century is a shining example of grace, devotion, and joy