Kathleen A. McLagan

In Loving Memory of Kathleen McLagan Holden May 24, 1948 – March 19, 2026 Kathleen McLagan Holden of Vancouver, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on March 19, 2026. In her final days she was surrounded by the love of her husband, children, sisters, and grandchildren. Kathleen was born in Gary, Indiana, on May 24, 1948, to Richard and Mary Ann Scheidt. From a young age, she had a sense of adventure and a compassion for others that would define much of her life. As a young woman, Kathleen and her first husband Doug Gamet moved to Albany, Oregon, where they raised their children Drew Gamet, Nathan Gamet, and Lissie Gamet Austin. Kathleen helped found the Albany General Hospital Women’s Center, helping ensure women had access to healthcare and health education. She was also an active member in her local P.E.O. philanthropic organization. After her first marriage ended, Kathleen met one of the loves of her life, Willard McLagan, who she married in February of 1993. Together, they were a vital part of the Albany community, supporting local groups like the Albany Boys and Girls Club. Taking her sense of adventure to the air, Kathleen learned to fly and earned her pilot’s license. She and Willard traveled together, often flying between their homes to spend time with family and friends. In 2002, she became a grandmother when her first grandchild, Mariana Gamet, was born. In January of 2003, Willard left this earth ahead of Kathleen. Kathleen continued her sense of adventure, moving to Vancouver, Washington for a fresh start. In Vancouver, she took up ballroom dancing and competed with her teacher, Chris Schokley. It was ballroom dancing that introduced her to the next love of her life, John Holden. They were married in June of 2007, and, along with Madeline, her little black poodle, they began their life together. Kathleen embraced John’s children, Julia Holden, Torun Holden, Erik Holden, and Peter Holden, and became grandmother to Julia’s children Victoria Blaisdell and Rohan Davis. Together with John, Kathleen turned from the skies to the water, learning to captain a boat on the Columbia River. They also took the Queen Mary across the pond to Europe and traveled for several years. Kathleen continued to demonstrate her compassion for others, helping fund local groups like The Giving Closet, the Portland Rescue Mission, and the Council for the Homeless. From 2014 on, Kathleen’s family grew in leaps and bounds. Lissie and her husband Jeff welcomed Ryan and Wesley. Torun and her husband Jared welcomed Sterling. Erik and his wife Echo welcomed Allegria and Cimorene. Drew and his wife Tara brought Dakota and Sophia into the family. Kathleen celebrated them all, and enjoyed spending time with them being Grammy, doing various activities like baking cookies and hosting big family gatherings. Kathleen was an avid painter, with a special focus on landscapes. She loved gardening, and always had a project under way. Her sense of beauty and style made her home a welcoming, peaceful retreat for all. Kathleen is survived by her husband, John Holden, of Vancouver, Washington; her children: Drew Gamet (and wife Tara), Nathan Gamet, and Lissie Austin (and husband Jeff), stepchildren Julia Holden, Torun Holden (and husband Jared), Erik Holden (and wife Echo) and Peter Holden, grandchildren Mariana, Ryan, Wesley, Victoria, Rohan, Allegria, Sterling, Cimorene, Dakota and Sophia, her sisters Candice, Jan, and Denice, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A memorial service will be held on April 11, 2026, at 10:00 am at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 N.E. 112th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Giving Closet, https://givingcloset.org/donate/ in Kathleen's memory. Kathleen's warmth, grace, and love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Kathleen A. McLagan

May 24, 1948 - March 19, 2026