Edward "Ed" Francis Hollowood

Edward (Ed) Francis Hollowood, 74, of Mebane died peacefully on Tuesday surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in Rochester, New York, as one of five children to Florence and Morris Edward Hollowood and was part of a blended, fun-loving Irish and Italian family.

Ed was a dedicated husband and is survived by his wife, Sheran McAdams Hollowood, his best friend, dive buddy and teammate of 35 years, as well as his beloved sister, Patricia Ann Hollowood, brother,Tim Hollowood and several nieces and nephews. His greatest joy was being a father to his cherished only child, Hillary Ann Hollowood. He is preceded in death by his two older brothers, Bob and Kenny Smith and his parents.

After completing high school in the Bronx, New York, Ed attended Fordham University and graduated with a degree in History before entering Fordham Law School where he obtained his J.D. in 1974. A brilliant legal mind, Ed passed the Texas Bar Exam and practiced family law for 20 years. During that time he met Sheran in Arlington through one of the first computer dating services and together they enjoyed scuba diving, camping and hosting driveway parties for their large group of neighbors and friends. They married on November 4, 1989 and joyfully welcomed Hillary the following October. 

Ed and Sheran relocated to Mebane in 1997 where Ed became a financial advisor for the remainder of his career. A gifted baseball player in his youth, Ed loved nothing more than playing catch with Hillary, going to a Durham Bulls game or watching his beloved Yankees, reciting the batting averages of every player as they came on deck. You would often find him deep in one of several books he was reading at the time or sneaking treats to his favorite buddy, the family puggle, Mia. Above anything else though, he was a loyal and loving son, husband, father and brother and was happiest surrounded by his family, most enthusiastically when cake was involved. 

Ed was exceedingly kind, always encouraging those closest to him, especially Hillary, to treat others with empathy and to fight injustice in all its forms. His small, deeply woven family will never be the same and are better, more compassionate people for loving and being loved by him.

The family will conduct a private burial at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Durham at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed’s name to the UNC Kidney Center where he received a life saving kidney transplant from Hillary in 2018.

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