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Holly Romans Green
08/01/1946 - 12/19/2024
Our beautiful Holly Romans Green, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024.
Holly was born on August 1, 1946, in Evanston, Illinois to parents Robert and Virginia Romans. Her father worked in real estate and her mother was secretary to the President of Northwestern University. They instilled in her the importance of hard work, community, and a sense of humor. She was also deeply influenced by her close relationship with her older sister, Robin.
Holly sparkled from the day she was born. She was a darling little girl with bright eyes and positive energy. She especially enjoyed ballet, going to summer camp, watching Shirley Temple movies, and playing with her doll collection. Holly graduated from Evanston Township High School and was (unsurprisingly) very popular. In a class of 1200 students, it was a big deal for her to be a cheerleader where she exemplified school spirit and leadership. In September, Holly attended her 60th high school reunion! Holly had a true gift for making and maintaining friendships-a talent that wove through every stage of her life.
She continued her education at Indiana University and earned her teaching credential in 1968. She was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and made lifelong friends. During her sophomore year, Holly met the love of her life, medical school student William Louis Green "Bill" on a blind date-one that almost didn't happen! The two were married on December 27, 1967, during Holly's senior year, and celebrated their honeymoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, cheering on Indiana's football team. Over the next 55 years of marriage, they were a shining example of partnership, unconditional love, and commitment.
Holly began her career as a fourth-grade teacher before leaving to start her family and support Bill's orthopedic medical career. Together, they lived in San Francisco, Memphis, and Travis Air Force base. They raised three children-Aimee, Michelle "Mimi," and Scott-nurturing them with love and resilience through their many moves. In 1977, Holly and Bill settled in Kentfield, Marin County, California. Holly's children attended Ross School, and she quickly became a well-known and beloved figure around town. Known as the "Queen of Trivia," she was famous for her intelligence, playful sense of humor, impeccable style, and perfectly coiffed hair. With a name like "Holly Green," she seemed destined for Christmas magic, and every December, she fully embraced the holiday spirit-decorating her home (and herself) in festive red and green. She was a wonderful mother with a strong moral compass who sought out the best opportunities for her children. She poured her energy and joy into everything she touched, and her children felt her unconditional support every single day of their lives.
In 1998, Holly and Bill fulfilled a dream by purchasing riverfront property in Hamilton, Montana. Holly's creativity shone as she built their home, "Grizzly Green," with themed rooms showcasing Montana's wildlife, especially her favorite-bears. Her grandchildren would spend hours counting the infinite bears. This home became a cherished gathering place for friends and family. Holly would invite friends for extended stays and plan detailed itineraries and elaborate meals. She loved sharing Montana and bringing joy to others. She and Bill were members of the Stockfarm Club where they made new friends from all over the United States.
Holly was energized by her friendships. She was known for her wise counsel, compassion, and ability to bring the fun factor to every situation. Whether arranging an emergency hair appointment for a friend in the hospital or helping select the perfect mother-of-the-bride dress, she simply made life sweeter for those lucky enough to call her a friend. In book club, she was known for her thorough research into authors and historical contexts, always bringing depth to discussions. In her investment club, she was admired for her out-of-the-box thinking, offering fresh perspectives. And in bridge club, she was celebrated for her sharp mind and love of friendly competition, making every game a delight. In her earlier years, she was active in the San Francisco Junior League, Edgewood Auxiliary, and Marin Art and Garden's Pixie Park. Holly was also a member of the Lagunitas Country Club, Town and Country Club, and the San Francisco Golf Club.
She treasured her role as "Noni." Always her grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, she sat front and center at their performances, gifting dolls to represent each character they played. At Christmas, she went all out, surprising them with special and unexpected gifts tailored to their interests-whether it was Mickey Mouse, golf, or even the Titanic. Her generosity and attention to detail made every moment with her feel extraordinary. In her later years, she provided devoted care for Bill, who passed away from Parkinson's in January 2023.
After Bill's passing, Holly embraced a new chapter, filled with travel and connection. In October, she enjoyed a Danube River cruise and a visit with her granddaughter in Barcelona, Spain.
Holly will be remembered for her humor, generosity, intelligence as well as her ability to bring people together. She is survived by her sister, Robin Gold; her children, Aimee Logan (Eric Leaf), Mimi O'Connell (Robin), and Scott Green (Emily); her six beloved grandchildren-Brooke, Briar, and Cole O'Connell, and Lily, Annabelle, and Will Green; and her cherished Bernedoodle, Blue. A celebration of her life will be held in March. Please contact the family directly for details. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/holly-green-obituary?id=57343791
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Karen Holby (Fornell)
I am in total shock to hear of Holly's passing. She was a wonderful friend to me since the 7th grade at Haven school , through our high school years and beyond..She was amazing and all the things you have all said about her. May the angels sing thee to your rest dear girl.
Nancy Schroeder
I am also so shocked at losing Holly.. She was so vibrante at the reunion. My love and sorrow goes to her family due to their loss.
I got to know Holly later on in highschool. We were in Board, Girls' club, and leaders. She was so nice and helpful to me and eveyone. She was genuine, such a delightful person.
You will be missed. Rest is peace.
Susan Holsten (Blumer)
XOI grew up with Holly in North Evanston and had contacts with her and family through our church. I am so saddened. She was a wonderful person with a bouncy love of life personality. Have been grateful to see her at previous reunions and catch up on her adventures in Montana.. a place near and dear to my heart, as well. She will be missed and always fondly remembered by me and my days in Evanston/ 🌹RIP Holly
Fred Brostoff
Some photos of Holly taken at the 60th Reunion...remembering Holly as always upbeat, always smiling:
Lauren Dolinky (Moss)
I didn't personally know Holly in high school. But, at our recent reunion I had the pleasure of a long conversation with her. Partially sparked by a vacation I had a few months earlier in Montana. We shared some very positive thoughts about her adopted state!! I can't believe that she has passed away as she told me so much about her life and the future she was looking forward to. What a tragic loss. To all of you who have lost a very dear friend I send my deepest condolences, with love.
Mark Goodman
I can't begin to express how shocked and sad I feel regarding Holly's passing. The very sweet, kind girl that I went to kindergarten with is emblazed as a picture in my mind. Just a very kind person that will be so missed by many who has left us too soon.
Alice Rosengard
What a shock to read of Holly's death. I had a lovely conversation with her at the 60th reunion. She looked just as she had in high school.As with many of my fellow classmates, I was unaware that she, too, was enrolled at Indiana University, amid the sea of 26,000 people on campus then.
In any case, she apparently had a satisfying life. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family.
W. Allan Edmiston, MD
Very sad news. I grew up near her home on Central Park in N Evanston and rode my bike frequently past her home from gradeschool to high school. In high school we never really were in classes that overlapped but we often talked. I had not seen her for 50 years until that reunion when a gracious upbeat lovely woman talked to me about how it was to be married into a family of orthopedic surgeons. Agree, her obituary documented a life well lived, happy and well loved .
W. Allan Edmiston
Don Hall
Holly was the first person, outside of the 60th Reunion Co-Chairs’ discussions, I called to announce the possibility of our recent 60th Coming Home Weekend Reunion. I wanted her help in reaching out to ’64 Classmates: she was, of course, the ultimate Cheerleader…it was just fun to be with her.
She demurred as she was still in the midst of handling her husband’s affairs following his passing in 2023. Then, all of a sudden we, the Reunion Committee, saw that she had signed up to attend…it was a joy that she would be with us.
So, let’s have a cheer for Holly:
Give her an E for enthusiasm, empathy and energy…it was memorable to spend time with her.
Give her a T for thoughtfulness, tack and the twinkle in her eyes…it was the tenderness in all she wrote in her comments on our ETHS 1964 Webpage.
Give her a H for happiness, humanism and heartfeltness…it was remarkable how she touched so many lives in positive ways.
And, give her a S for smiling, sensitivity and sharing…it was like her to make you feel valued.
Happy Trails to you (Holly) until we meet again…
Bruce Boyer
Oh, man, this one hurts!
Holly and I became close friends junior year when we were both active at the YMCA and in Brillianteen specifically. We had a deep. deep fondness for each other that never went away.
I saw her only once after we went off to college. I landed in Bloomington in the spring 0f 1967 en route to the Indy 500. I called her up and she told me she was engaged to Bill, whom I didnt meet on that brief visit.
What really changed things was our meeting at reunions and connecting on the web. She was an avid emailer, and we sent each all sorts of things -- gossip, books references, jokes both good and bad.
Then, sometime around 2000, she wrote me that her book club had been reading Erik Larsen's Devil in the White City and that she was organizing -- she was an organizer par excellence -- a trip to Chicago to visit the World's Fair site, or what's left of it, meaning the Museum of Science and Industry. She was setting up visits and wondered if I knew a Chicago historian who could talk about the White City. I said sure -- me! I'd published one book and numerous articles on Chicago history, including one of the Columbian Exposition. So when her friends -- around a dozen and all female -- showed up, I gave them a presentation and answerd questions, after which we all went out to dinner. Great fun.
It was when she'd told me about Grizzley Green that I mentioned one of my historical obsessions -- the Lewis & Clark expedition. The obsession began with the fact that Meriwether Lewis was an ancestor of mine, and was amplified by all the travels I had done in the mountain west over the years. Indeed, I've visited virtually all of the major historical sites connected with the expedition, from Fort Mandan, North Dakota to Hohenwald, Tennessee, the site of Lewis' suicide and grave. As our conversation continued, we both expressed a desire to travel the Missouri River in northern Montana, specifically the Missouri Breaks, which is sort of the Grand Canyon of the Missouri, a place Lewis described in the Journals as a place of "visionary enchantment."
So Holly the Organizer went to work a few years later, I joined a group of her friends for a four-day, three-night canoe expedition down the river. It remains one of my favorite travel adventures of all time. It was there that I finally met -- and enjoyed -- her husband Bill.
Holly'd told me about Bill's Parkinson's and I commiserated, as my Father had suffered from it. She also emailed me when Bill died. Sad, very sad.
Like most, if not all of us, my life is increasingly filled with mortal departures but this one has an extra sting to it, so let me close by turning to Shakespeare and paraphrasing Hamlet -- "Good night, sweet lady, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
Bruce