Jeanne Holmes

Jeanne Thompson Holmes

January 1, 1954 — May 9, 2026

Durham, NC

Jeanne Thompson Holmes, a dedicated medical technologist and remarkable endurance athlete, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026 , in Durham, North Carolina. Born Dorris Jeanne Thompson on January 1, 1954, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jeanne lived a life marked by quiet determination, humility, and an unwavering commitment to helping others.

Jeanne’s career choice was deeply rooted in her altruistic nature. After enlisting in the Army to receive specialized training in medical technology, she served three years while honing her skills and met her future husband, LTC (ret) Richard “Rich” Holmes, during the Army’s Basic Medical Laboratory course. Utilizing her GI benefits, Jeanne furthered her education by earning a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Prior to this, she had earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Wake Forest University, where she distinguished herself as a varsity field hockey player throughout all four years.

Her work as a medical technologist spanned her entire professional life, reflecting her deep-seated desire to make a meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of others. Jeanne embodied the spirit of service with great humility, never one to seek attention for herself despite her many accomplishments.

An exceptional athlete from a young age, Jeanne maintained her varsity-caliber athleticism throughout her life. Endurance running was not just a hobby but a lifelong passion that kept her fit and vibrant until the final months of her journey. Among her many feats, she was known for completing about a dozen marathons and approximately 280 half-marathons, achievements that placed her among the highest-ranking American runners by number of half-marathon races finished. Jeanne consistently earned top-3 place medals in her age groups and achieved the extraordinary goal of running half-marathons in 100 different countries—a milestone reached in December 2025 even as she suffered through the first months of her Alzheimer's disease.

Jeanne's resilience and spirit were profoundly evident during a memorable event in 2023 when she was 69, held on the side of a volcano in Montserrat. While her husband Rich attempted a full marathon, Jeanne ran a much faster half-marathon, noting his struggle with a painful knee that would be totally replaced before he could run again. When Rich found he could not complete the marathon, Jeanne’s indomitable determination led her to re-enter the race course and run a second half-marathon, providing the crucial tenth marathon finisher required for the event’s validity in world statistics for all 10 runners. And in an incredible feat, despite the multi-hour pause as Rich struggled, she beat all other international marathon runners in total time, losing only to the three local male youths 40 years younger than she.

Throughout her life, Jeanne enriched herself with a wide range of interests including photography, collecting coins, world currencies, books, and other items, and extensive travel. She was an adventurous spirit who explored nearly 120 countries, all U.S. states, and every Canadian province and territory—almost always combining her travels with running events spanning from Antarctica to the Arctic that fueled her zest for life and wellness.

Jeanne was a person of quiet strength and seriousness, often refraining from sharing her considerable achievements, modest to a fault. Her proudest accomplishments, however, were remarkably evident in her family. She cherished her role as a mother and was immensely proud of her two daughters, L. Kathleen Holmes and Siobhan L. Barney. Both daughters brought joy to her life, each nurturing families of their own: Kathleen is the mother of grandchildren Lennox Holmes and Zafira Holmes of Washington, D.C., while Siobhan is mother to granddaughters Logan Barney and Blake Barney of Tyler, Texas.

Jeanne’s family extended to her husband Rich, a steadfast companion and partner in life, as well as her brother-in-law David Holmes of Denton, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard Thompson and Virgie Belle Thompson of Greensboro, North Carolina and Gallatin, Tennessee, as well as her brothers Lindsley Thompson and Christopher Thompson of Greensboro.

In the final chapter of her life, Jeanne was confronted with a rapid decline following her diagnosis last autumn with the same Alzheimer’s gene that took her mother’s life. Despite this challenging diagnosis, Jeanne faced her illness with remarkable peace and without pain, a testament to her quiet courage and dignity.

Jeanne Thompson Holmes leaves behind a legacy rich in service, athleticism, and devotion. Her life was a testament to perseverance, humility, and love—a life that quietly inspired and touched the hearts of those privileged to know her. In keeping with her spirit, the family requests that in lieu of any flowers or other remembrances, she be honored with a tribute to the US national Alzheimer's society from which she and her family received bountiful and costless benefits as she battled her disease. (Donations can be made at https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/richardholmes.) She will be remembered with deep respect and enduring affection by her family and all who witnessed her extraordinary journey.

Jeanne was the wife of one of our founders, and first President, Rich Holmes. She was one of the original members of the Marathon Globetrotters. Many of us in Marathon Globetrotters knew Joanne.  She will be missed very much.

Joanne will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery, in a grave whose headstone will honor her military grade and dates of service.

The full obituary can be read at https://obits.endswellfuneralhome.com/jeanne-holmes.

Rest in Peace Joanne.