Chicago’s real estate community is still reeling after the sudden passing of Catherine Holbrook.
Holbrook, a founding member of The Laricy Team with Americorp., died on Jan. 21 shortly after giving birth to her first child, Olivia Barbara Healy. She was 40 years old.
In the last two weeks, a GoFundMe collecting money for Holbrook’s husband, Patrick Healy, and baby Olivia has already surpassed $450,000 in donations. The comments section is full of warm remembrances of Holbrook’s life.
“Our reputation got to where it got because Catherine was such a nice person,” said Matt Laricy, managing broker of The Laricy Team. “You can see from the outpouring of grief.”
For over 10 years, Laricy was Holbrook’s business partner and close friend. Speaking to Chicago Agent, he expressed emotion and shock over the recent tragedy. Laricy started his team in 2013, and he fondly remembers establishing the brand with Holbrook. She was essentially his first hire.
Laricy described being “super nervous” to initially meet Holbrook in a Starbucks. “I didn’t know if I had enough business to keep her busy. But she had a welcoming personality, and I knew it was going to work out and that we’d become best friends — and that’s what happened,” he said.
Today, the team is top producing, with Holbrook at the helm alongside Laricy for more than a decade. “She was an integral piece of building the business. The whole industry knew from then that she was my main person … Since the beginning, every time we interviewed new agents and assistants, Catherine was always with me.”
Laricy said Holbrook understood his love for work and, in turn, the desire to fill work with people they genuinely liked. “Red or white?” was one of her famous interview questions. (The correct answer? “Red.”) In short, Holbrook was fun.
“She knew how to work a room,” Laricy said. “Before dinner started, I’d be looking for where she’s at and she’d be coming over with a tray of shots like, ‘Let’s get this party started!’ [Later,] we’d be getting ready to go, tired, then a waiter would come over with espresso martini shots and Catherine would be laughing like, ‘Let’s get this party started!’ She had a personality that you wanted to hang out with.”
When it came to business, however, Holbrook was competitive. In 2024, she had her best year yet, with $35 million in sales, Laricy said, and was entering 2025 on a high. “She was getting a house in the suburbs and was going to start the family … She was going to power up. She was in a good place.”
Laricy said he talked to Holbrook right before the delivery. “She was already saying, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back checking in on leads soon!’”
Katy Anastos, owner of Glam House Staging, was one of Holbrook’s best friends. She also shared a statement:
“Catherine’s life was driven by her love for her family and her friends. She spent every day making sure everyone was happy. This was a direct reflection on her work ethic. She made people feel comfortable and happy and that is why she was such a force in her industry. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her but will be cherished in all the many amazing memories we have of her, and that is something I will be grateful for the rest of my life.”