Thelma Mary Holmes

Thelma Mary Holmes, 89, a resident of Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, was born on March 19, 1923 in Rochester, NY and died Thursday, May 24, 2012. She is survived by her niece, Jane Holmes Jones of Granby, CT and her nephew, William Holmes of Wethersfield, CT. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Holmes of Bloomfield, NY and her parents, Lillian and Harvey Holmes of Rochester, NY. A faithful Roman Catholic, Ms. Holmes was a long time member of Holy Faith Catholic Church in Gainesville, FL. She will be interred beside her parents at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Penfield, NY.She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seton Hill College in Greenburg, PA, her physical therapy education from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Caroline School of Public Health in 1964. Early in her career Ms. Holmes worked two years in physical therapy in a hospital setting. She then worked as Supervisor and Director of Rehabilitation with the Visiting Nurse Service in Rochester, NY for 15 years. She joined the faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida in the early 1960's. As a faculty member she was named "Teacher of the Year" in their 15th Annual Outstanding Achievement Awards Convocation. She served as President of the Florida Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Council, Board of Medical Examiners, State Department of Professional Regulations. During this time, Ms. Homes served on a long-standing committee of the APTA that developed the role of the Physical therapist Assistant. In 1980 the American Physical Therapy Association presented the Lucy Blair Service Award to Ms. Holmes in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the association. In 2000, Ms. Holmes received a Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award presented by Seton Hill College. In 1986 she retired as Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida. She taught in physical therapy 21 of her 40 years in her profession. Ms. Holmes was an avid fisherman and enjoyed a second home in Crystal River for many years. A Memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, Juner 5, 2012 at 4:00 PM at Oack Hammock, 5100 SW 25th Blvd, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32607.

Thelma Mary Holmes

July 11, 2012