Uncrowned Community Builders

Carolyn Frances (Williamson) Holder was born in 1944 in Buffalo, New York. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Frances and Willie Williamson. She graduated from Mount Mercy Academy High School.


Carolyn was a 'Fashion Diva' all of her life. In high school and continuing in college, she was a professional model. She walked the runways with many 'Top Models' including Beverly Johnson.
She earned a scholarship to Southern Illinois University (Edwardsville Campus) and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (1967).


She married her teenage sweetheart James Kenneth Holder while still in undergraduate school. They were married for 51 years. They made their home in North Tonawanda, N.Y.


Upon completing her degree, she returned to Buffalo, NY and earned her M.Ed in Education (1969).
She and her husband Jim were loving devoted parents to two children - 'Keli and Kenny'.


Carolyn devoted her entire teaching and administrative career working for the Niagara Falls City School District. She began teaching in 1969 at High Park Elementary School and later at Henry J. Kalfas Elementary (Beech Avenue School). She was a Teacher and later Theme Specialist for many years.
While teaching full time and raising a family, she returned to college - this time to pursue a B.S. in Nursing. She earned her degree in 1978 from D'Youville College. Her stellar work, both as teacher and student (Deans List w/ High Honors while raising a family) earned her a front page article in the local news AND a featured story on a local television network. When 'Carolyn' put her mind to something there was no stopping her. She never formally practiced in the field, but she always kept current with her license. She believed that one should always have a "Plan B... Be ready".


Carolyn loved to read and loved to learn. Once her children graduated from college, she decided to return to school once again. She earned her second M.Ed in Education Administration & Supervision (1992). She began her Administrative career as an Assistant Principal at LaSalle Middle School (1992) and later served at Niagara Middle School. In 1996 she was appointed Principal at Harry F. Abate Elementary School (the largest elementary school in Niagara Falls) until her retirement in August 2004. Over the years she received a plethora of awards including the Niagara County Black Achiever's Award, Henry J. Kalfas Parent Advisory Board Award, Clinical Proficiency in Nursing Award; and Phi Delta Kappa Award for Academic and Professional Excellence.


For most, retirement signifies the closing of many chapters. But for Carolyn, it was just the beginning of many more. .She traveled the world... Japan, China, Australia, Alaska, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, South America, Dubai, and Cuba - just to name a few.


She continued serving the community with the National Black Alliance of Black School Educators, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, The World University Games (1993); EPIC (Every Parent Influences Children, Inc.) The Zonta Organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Buffalo Alumane Chapter where she was the former Chapter President); Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center; and the National Board of Directors of Magnet Schools (serving as chair of the Merit Award Program).
She was the proud mother of daughter Keli Koran F. (Holder) Luchey, PhD (who followed in her footsteps and is a current High School Administrator), son Kenneth James Holder, B.A (former NYS Corrections Officer and current Erie County Deputy Sheriff) and her pride and joy - grandson David James 'DJ' Luchey ( a sophomore at St. Joseph Collegiate Institute who turned 16 this April).

To know Carolyn, was to love her. She entered the room the same way she left this world - with style, grace, elegance and a message. Life is a gift. Respect it. Appreciate it. Enjoy it to the fullest.