The late Pat Holbus (right) began St John the Evangelist School's Christmas Fair in 1976. She is joined on campus by granddaughter Annie Patsy Swanson and former school principal Tasha Tillotson.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Founder and 50-year organizer of St John the Evangelist Craft Fair, Pat Holbus died on Sept. 9 after a two-year illness. She was 83.

A woman of God and a neighborhood benefactor, Holbus helped dig foundations for the community garden on Sutter Avenue. She maintained fruitful allotments there for decades.

“Even in her 80s, mom was youthful and energetic,” said her youngest daughter, Erin Oriolo. “It was hard for her children and grandchildren to keep up with her.”

Glamorous, big-hearted, the mom of seven was famed for Sunday dinners with family, friends, parishioners and priests at table.

Faith was the matriarch's greatest joy.  “She was proud that her family always filled several pews at Mass,” said daughter Erin.

Wisconsin-raised, she married her high school sweetheart Martin Holbus, who brought her to California. The couple settled first in Marysville. Moving to Carmichael, they occupied the same Prospect Drive home for the rest of Pat’s life.

Her other home was St. John the Evangelist Church on Locust Avenue. Seven Holbus children (and later, 14 grandkids) would attend classes there.

As in many parochial schools, St John's working families were often stretched to meet tuition. The Holbus family shared the challenge.

In 1976, Pat Holbus pitched the idea of a Christmas fair fundraiser. She decreed all goods should be hand-made; vendors should be parishioners; sales should occur after Dec. services.  

“At first, there were 20 vendors,” recalled her eldest son, Marty Holbus. “The fair was so successful that mom convinced the priest and school principal to expand it.

Thus St John’s massive ‘Holiday Show of Hands’ came to pass.

The event grew to fill St John’s campus for three busy Dec. days. Surrounding streets are annually clogged; customers are bused from the nearby Elks Lodge car park.  Home-made meals and toddies add to the shopping experience.

Rain or shine, the largest seasonal event in Carmichael has never cancelled. The fair survived pandemic years by going virtual.

Stylish in Santa-red coat and high boots, Pat Holbus ran her fair with military precision. She and co-founder Carole Czimskey juried applicants so that no craft was over-represented.

From near and far, crafters vied for 150 booths.  Auburn vendor Diana ‘Maus Lady’ Boud annually offered 200 hand-sewn mice and sold out in a day.  More than 10,000 customers throng to the campus. “It's an event,” Pat Holbus claimed, “That tells everyone Christmas is here at last.”

“No matter how hard mom worked before the doors opened,” recalled daughter Erin, “she changed into her beautiful red coat and boots to welcome customers. She wanted people to feel part of a wonderful celebration.”

Pat Holbus (third from left) and family display community garden produce on Sutter Avenue. Holbus offspring include Amy Swanson (left), Annie Patsy Swanson, Jake Swanson, Christine Bagley and Pat's husband Martin Holbus.

Holbus’s entrepreneurism soon conceived a second fundraiser. “Mom saw a market for religious accessories,” explained son Marty. “She convinced the priest to allocate a closet to store Bibles, crucifixes, rosaries and sacramental items that she ordered from catalogues."

Thus, St John’s gift shop came to pass.

“From its sales, many pupils had their education subsidized,” continued Marty. “If mom heard of a family struggling with tuition, she anonymously provided proceeds from the Church store to help.”

Over the years, considered St John’s Vice Principal Cathy Davis, Pat Holbus made schooling possible for many families. "She was devout," said Davis. "Her devotion included belief in faith-based education. She wanted the school to be around for future generations.”

That St John’s School tuition remains among the most affordable of Sacramento Catholic schools attests to the volunteer's legacy.

Gardening was another benevolent path. “Mom came from humble stock,” noted daughter Erin. “Her parents grew their own food in Wisconsin and she learned from them.”

When Carmichael Recreation and Park District allocated Sutter Avenue land for communal allotments, Holbus rolled up her sleeves. She helped administer the project and roped in family to tend three plots.

“She was famous for heirloom tomatoes and zucchinis,” said Erin. “Mom knew from her father that blossoms attracted beneficial insects, so she planted flowers. Her garden was full of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.”

The green-fingered grandma also loved sharing knowledge. “We all learned to grow things,” observed son Marty. “All we all have Grandma Patsy’s zucchini bread recipe.” Toward the end of her life, the daughters and granddaughters came to her kitchen and produced batches of loaves.

“The priests, St John teachers, neighbors, -- even her hairdresser -- were bread beneficiaries,” continued Marty Holbus.  “Mom also gave away plates of heirloom tomatoes. A big part of her joy in gardening was sharing, as her father had done.”

Grandma Patsy advised offspring that actions spoke louder than words.

“She led by example,” said daughter Erin. “Mom’s garden, the school shop and the craft fair were examples of how she believed that gifts of God were meant to be shared.”

St John’s Christmas Fair is this year scheduled for Dec. 4, 5 and 6.

Pat Holbus is survived by her husband Martin, seven children, their spouses and fourteen grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Oct. 17, at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 5751 Locust Ave.

The family encourages donation of blood to Vitalant Blood Centers and the American Red Cross.