Kings Park, FDNY mourn sudden loss of local mom, 38

Adventurer. Mother. Force of nature.

Those who knew Caitlin McIntyre Holtslag remember her for her booming laugh, boundless energy, and deep love for the outdoors and her family.

The 38-year-old Kings Park mom died suddenly on May 22, leaving behind her husband, their two young children, and a community now rallying to support her family.

As of Tuesday, nearly 700 donors have contributed a total of $79,000 to a fundraiser launched on behalf of her family. Holtslag is survived by her husband, FDNY department mechanic Ed “Eddie” Holtslag, and their two children, Bo and Isla.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Clayton Funeral Home, located at 25 Meadow Road in Kings Park.

Holtslag also leaves behind her parents, Bob and Annie McIntyre; her sister, Jessamyn McIntyre and her husband Mike Daigle; and her brother, Sean McIntyre and his fiancée, Sasha Diamond.

Holtslag enjoyed hiking, gardening and swimming in the Long Island Sound, and cheering from the sidelines at her children’s youth sports games. She raised trout as part of her work and delighted in the local wildlife — often naming the hawks, raccoons, herons and egrets she regularly observed.

The GoFundMe campaign launched four days ago on behalf of the Holtslag family notes her quick wit, a booming laugh and an ability to light up any room. A Meal Train effort also has been established for Holtslag’s family.

“Cait had a gift for making people laugh,” reads the GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $80,000 for Holtslag’s family. “Her smile could light up any room.”

Her obituary notes that her greatest joy came from time spent with her family: “Our world will never be the same without Caitlin … but it is truly a better place for having had her in it.”

_{Top photo: Facebook}