Carol Jean Holt

Carol Jean Holt (Diehl), 75, passed away on August 18, 2026, just five days after receiving an unexpected diagnosis of glioblastoma. Her passing came far too quickly for those who loved her, but Carol’s life was so much bigger than the illness that took her. She lived a full and happy life, surrounded by people she loved, and she remained herself -loved, loving, and happy- until the very end.

Carol was born on January 4, 1951, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Tom and Elizabeth Diehl. She grew up in Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma State University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and an OSU Pom Pom Girl. So many of Carol’s lifelong friends were from her time at OSU and she remained a proud OSU fan throughout her life.

Carol married Ray Fort, and together they had their daughter, Piper. In 1993, Carol, Ray, and Piper moved from Oklahoma to New Mexico, a place Carol quickly came to love and would call home for the rest of her life. Although Carol and Ray later divorced, they remained friends.

Carol embraced New Mexico wholeheartedly - its people, its culture, its beauty, and its food. Though Oklahoma was where her story began, New Mexico truly became home.

Later in life, Carol met her true love, John Holt. They married on June 15, 2008, and built a life together filled with laughter, travel, art, theater, family, and their beloved pets. Carol and John genuinely enjoyed one another, and the years they shared were the happiest of her life.

Carol loved her family. She is survived by her daughter, Piper Curry (Ben); and her grandchildren, Charlotte and Everett Curry, who brought tremendous joy to her life.

She is also survived by her brother, Dan Diehl (Alicia); nephews Adam Diehl (Melissa) and Alex Diehl (Laurelyn); great-nephews Malcolm and Ethan; her sister, Janie Specketer (Mark); her cousins John Watson and Steve Watson (Jennifer); Steve’s daughter, Sarah; and cousins Richard Watson (Michelle) and Jessica Watson.

Carol’s family grew even larger through her marriage to John. She loved her “bonus” children, Lauren Springer (Bill), John Holt III, and Hannah Holt, her bonus grandchild, Charlie Springer, and her sister-in-law, Jamie Holt.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Elizabeth Diehl; her aunt, Donna Watson; her cousin, Tommy Watson; and her beloved husband, John Holt.

Carol was loved by so many people because she loved so many people. She treasured friendships, family, laughter, good food, new places, art, theater, and the simple pleasure of enjoying life with the people she cared about.

Her story is 75 years of family and friendship. It is Oklahoma and New Mexico. It is college days and Theta Sisters, travel and theater, good meals and laughter. It is John. It is being a mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, wife, and friend. Most of all, Carol’s story is one of a woman who was deeply loved and who was happy until the very end.

She will be missed beyond measure and remembered with love, laughter, and countless stories by everyone fortunate enough to have known her.