Throughout her career as a nurse educator and well after, Sharon Bonham Holyoke put students and their success first.
During her time as an assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, Holyoke taught more than 2,000 students and has supported hundreds more through scholarships that bear her name.
Libby Mollard, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, took Holyoke’s gerontology nursing class and, more than 20 years later, still remembers a professor who taught with joy and positivity.
“(She) was the best kind of nursing instructor in that she was smart and had high clinical standards, but loved to have a good time,” Dr. Mollard said. “She was always having us look closer at the humanity of our patients and their individual stories so we could provide the best care.”
Holyoke, a 1966 graduate of the UNMC College of Nursing, died on June 17 at 82 years of age. A funeral service with Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard presentation will be Friday, July 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Omaha.
Holyoke’s compassionate approach to teaching was evident to her colleagues. Teresa Hultquist, PhD, professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, remembers Holyoke’s ability to earn the trust of her students through encouragement and her willingness to make sure all students felt supported.
“Sharon was a great advocate for students and having resources to support student learning,” Dr. Hultquist said. “Her calm demeanor, gentle support and caring presence made students feel comfortable asking questions during class and meeting with her outside class to better understand the course material.”
After receiving her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in 1971, Holyoke began the UNMC College of Nursing Rural Nursing program in Ogallala, Nebraska. She returned to Omaha in 1988 as a family and gerontology nurse practitioner at the UNMC College of Nursing. During her tenure, she was named Nebraska Nurse of the Year by the Nebraska Nurses Association and also received numerous outstanding teaching awards at UNMC College of Nursing. She dedicated years of service to local, state and national nursing organizations.
After her retirement from UNMC in 2012, Holyoke and her husband, Edward “Ted” Holyoke, MD, remained supporters of the college through sponsoring multiple scholarships. In a 2025 interview, Dr. Holyoke said supporting the next generation of nurses allowed her to stay connected with students.
“I love to connect with students — they’re just delightful,” she said. “They’re so refreshing and so impressive.”
Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean and professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, said Holyoke’s legacy to the college and nursing will continue to serve as a shining example to those who educate and learn within its classrooms.
“In celebrating the enduring legacy of Sharon Holyoke, we honor not just a generous benefactor, but a devoted educator whose passion for nursing and unwavering commitment to our college and students has transformed countless lives,” she said. “Through her scholarship, she not only provided financial support but also has inspired future generations of nurses to pursue a profession she dearly loved.
“Sharon’s impact will resonate in the hearts of our students and faculty for years to come.”