Dr. Sally L. Holt

Dr. Sally L. Holt, an esteemed educator and audiologist, passed away on November 25, 2025, in her hometown of Toledo, Ohio. Born on July 14, 1939, Dr. Holt dedicated her life to advancing educational opportunities and improving the lives of those with hearing impairments.

Dr. Holt began her remarkable career as an elementary school teacher and teacher of the deaf in Ohio. Her passion for education led her to Papua New Guinea, where she held positions as the Superintendent of Inservice Teacher Training and State School Inspector. Upon returning to Ohio, she transitioned into audiology, working in various offices in Toledo, Tiffin, and Sandusky. Her commitment to the field culminated in a role as a university professor in deaf education, where she taught both undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of New Orleans, and the University of Toledo.

In 1988, Dr. Holt founded Holt Audiology and Hearing Aids in Huron, further solidifying her dedication to serving individuals with hearing challenges. Her professional contributions were significant; she chaired over 150 individual education programs each year for Erie County Schools and was actively involved in many professional associations. She was a lifetime member of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Association, founder and first president of the DCCD division of the Council for Exceptional Children in Louisiana, and a proud member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Teachers Society. Dr. Holt was also a published author, contributing numerous articles and journals in the field of audiology and co-authoring several textbooks.

Her academic journey was marked by distinguished achievements, obtaining her B.A. from Mary Manse College in Toledo, her M.S. from Canisius College in Western New York, and her Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University.

Beyond her professional life, Dr. Holt was a devoted servant to her mother, Polly Holt, in the final years of her mother's life. She found joy in gardening, particularly tending to her roses, and she had a deep love for travel, forming friendships across the globe in places such as Switzerland and Australia, as well as amongst the sisters of Notre Dame. Her family and friends held a special place in her heart, and she cherished spending time with her numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Holt is survived by her siblings, Betty Trotter, Jane (Frank) Crowley, Bill (Charlene) Holt, Tom (Susie Poll) Holt, and Jim (Patti) Holt, as well as sister-in-law Eileen Holt. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Florence "Polly" Holt, her brother Tim Holt, and her brother-in-law Larry Trotter.

Dr. Sally L. Holt leaves behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and unyielding support for those around her, making an indelible impact on the fields of education and audiology.

The family will receive guests on Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 10:00 am until the start of Mass at 11:00 am at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2240 Castlewood Dr, Toledo.

To share a memory of Dr. Sally or to leave a special message for her family, please visit the Guestbook below.