Catherine Elizabeth Caesar

Grapevine, TX -- Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Caesar, 53, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 am, Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, TX 76051.

Memorial Service: 6:30 pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Lucas Funeral Home, 700 W. Wall St., Grapevine, TX 76051. This service will be streamed live: https://video.ibm.com/channel/tmab4jDHmbG

Catherine was born August 7, 1969, in Philadelphia, PA to Judy Caesar and Roland Caesar. After graduating from Upper Moreland High School in Pennsylvania, Cathy received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond, a Master’s degree from Tulane University, and her Ph.D. from Emory University. In every stage of her education, Cathy’s vibrant personality coupled with her brilliant mind and quick wit endeared her to an ever-growing set of lifelong friends.

Catherine began her career as a professor of Art History with the University of Dallas in 2003. In addition to teaching, she served as department chair several times during her tenure at UD as well as contributing significantly to the university’s program in Rome. Many have benefited over the years from Cathy’s deeply personal and caring approach to sharing her joy and enthusiasm for art, her attention to detail, and her devotion to cultivating genuine learning in her students.

In 2005, she married James Britt Holbrook and moved from Dallas to Grapevine, TX where Cathy became a loving mother to her three beautiful children, Lucas, Frances and Grace. Motherhood became her passion in life, as she poured herself joyfully into loving and raising her children. Cathy was always a devoted mother, a dear friend to many, and a generous and trusted colleague.

Catherine is survived by her husband, James Britt Holbrook; her eldest child and son, Lucas Holbrook; eldest daughter, Frances Holbrook; and youngest daughter, Grace Holbrook; her mother, Judy Caesar; her stepfather, Stephen Terleski; her eldest brother, Dan Caesar; her youngest brother, Matthew Caesar; and aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends. Catherine was also preceded in death by her father, Roland.

The family asks that any donations in Catherine’s name be made to the University of Dallas Art Department, in Irving, TX.