Mary Katherine “Holt” Kline, age 97, of Howard, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on July 5th at Lock Haven Rehabilitation Center in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Born July 28th, 1928, in Howard, Pennsylvania, Mary was the daughter of Effie Holt. She graduated from Howard High School in 1946. She studied deep muscle therapeutic massage under Dr. Younki in Pine Glen, Pennsylvania.
Mary was an athlete in high school, excelling in basketball. Later in life she enjoyed a good round of golf with her husband, Samual Kline. Mary and Sam were integral in bringing county music and square dancing to rural central Pennsylvania. Mary would often be seen playing the gutbucket on stage for the many bands that Sam played guitar with. She and her husband were key supporters of local baseball in Centre and Clinton Counties. Mary was often the official scorekeeper and newspaper reporter for the games, particularly the Blanchard B’s. She continued her love of baseball into her final years and was a diehard Philadelphia Philly’s fan. Sam and Mary loved traveling, and after Sam’s passing, Mary continued to travel extensively throughout the United States, South America, and Europe making new friends along the way. Robert “Bob” Day became her traveling companion and together they explored new adventures until his death. Painting, art, and collecting bells were some of her favorite activities.
Mary worked throughout her life, beginning at the Howard Post Office from 1946 through 1949. In the 1950’s she worked for Sylvania Electric in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, leaving there in the 60’s for a position at HRB Singer in State College, Pennsylvania. Eventually she worked for Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania where she made many new and long-lasting friendships. The most important role Mary played in her working life was that of a gifted healer. She utilized her knowledge from her studies with Dr. Yonkie and began deep muscle massage from her home, helping many people with their muscular ailments.
As a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard, Pennsylvania she taught Sunday school and directed the annual children’s Christmas play for many years.
She is survived by two sons; Rodney Kline and wife, Sally, Wesley Kline and wife Cynthia. Her grandchildren include Christy Hanna (Eric), Zammany Kline, and Jennifer Wise. She has five great grandchildren: Amber (Rusty) LaJole, Kayla (Jarred) Dincher, McKenzie Hanna, Garrett Hanna, and Rachael (Dustin) Crawford. Great-great grandchildren include Bradley and Eli LaJole, Hudson, Elsie, Gunner Dincher and Scarlett Crawford. She has a brother-in-law Butch (Dorothy) Kline and half-brother, Doyle (Shirley) Moore and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death is her husband, Samual, her mother Effie Holt, her grandsons Bradley and Justin Kline, sister-in–laws Lucille Miller, Helen Phillips and Martha Kitchen and brother-in-law Sherman Kline along with half-brothers Dean and Harold Moore, and her companion for many years Robert Day.
Mary will be remembered for her love for adventure, her spirit, her wisdom, the love for her family, and her healing gifts.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Clinton Centre County Baseball Hall of Fame, PO Box 344, Beech Creek, Pennsylvania 16822.
Friends and family will be received from 10:00am until 11:00am followed by a service at Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard, Pennsylvania on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Arrangements by Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High Street, Flemington, Pennsylvania 17745.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting http://www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com
