HOLLY CLEGG OBITUARY
Holly Berkowitz Clegg FORT WORTH — Holly Berkowitz Clegg passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 1, 2019 after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer. FUNERAL: Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday November 4, 2019 at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, located at 7405 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, Texas. Rabbi Andrew Bloom will lead the service. A private graveside burial service will follow immediately. A memorial service will be held in Baton Rouge, La. on Thursday November 7, 2019. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, donations to support Holly Clegg’s Gastric Cancer Research Fund at MD Anderson would be appreciated. Donations can be made at http://www.mdanderson.org/cleggfund. Whether spending time with her friends and family, marketing her healthy lifestyle brand, or raising awareness of gastric cancer, Holly’s drive, passion and optimism were always present and brightened the faces of those around her. Holly was born in Ft. Worth on August 23, 1955 to Ruth and Jerry Berkowitz. She attended college at Tulane University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Art History and a minor in English. After graduating from Tulane, Holly attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in London and Le Jules Verne in Paris. On September 1, 1979, she married Michael V. Clegg of Baton Rouge, La., with whom she celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary earlier this year. After settling in Baton Rouge with Mike, Holly began writing a cookbook at the request of the Sternberg family. This first book launched a 30-year career, during which she published 17 cookbooks, sold over 1.5 million books, became a nationally recognized healthy eating advocate and improved the lives of countless individuals. During her career, Holly’s television appearances included the Today Show, Fox and Friends, the 700 Club, The Phil Donahue Show, and the Harry Connick Junior Show, as well as regular appearances on Baton Rouge stations WBRZ, WAFB and WVLA. Despite selling over 1.5 million cookbooks, Holly always considered her family to be her greatest success story. She loved her family deeply and would typically spend several hours a day on the phone talking to her husband, children (and their spouses), siblings and parents. Holly was proud of her family. She and Mike had an enduring love and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary earlier this year. She could often be heard discussing her three children, who were each happily married and had thriving careers and families of their own. What she never fully appreciated was how important her role was in her family’s successes. Holly always maintained a happy, optimistic disposition throughout her life, and this continued even after she was diagnosed with cancer. Her smile never faded and in fact, when she would leave the hospital, the nurses and doctors would comment on how her attitude uplifted those around her. Her strength and courage were immeasurable during chemotherapy treatment, she spoke at a stomach cancer conference held at MD Anderson. Following her move into hospice, she and her family launched the Holly Clegg Gastric Cancer Research Fund with MD Anderson. Within a few months, the fund raised nearly $300K ($165K was raised in a single night at a Baton Rouge fundraiser that Holly attended). The fund’s success brought immense joy to Holly, and she truly believes it will raise awareness and help save lives. Holly lived her remaining months in the home she and Mike shared in Dallas, surrounded by family, friends, a revolving door of visitors and “her best medicine,” her six adorable grandchildren! Holly was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Berkowitz. SURVIVORS: Holly is survived by her husband, Michael V. Clegg; her three children, Todd (Sana) Clegg of New York, NY, Courtney (Chad) Goldberg of Dallas, TX, and Haley (Eric) Nusbaum of San Francisco, CA; six grandchildren, Lyla, Camilla and Harris Clegg, Clegg, Kase and Jackson Goldberg in addition to her mother, Ruth Berkowitz, and her younger siblings, Ilene (Bart) Putterman and Michael (Jane) Berkowitz. Holly’s family would like to thank all of Team Holly for the love and support throughout her entire journey.
Published by Star-Telegram on Nov. 3, 2019.
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MEMORIES & CONDOLENCES
FOR HOLLY CLEGG
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22 Entries
To Holly’s Family — My Mom and I met Holly in Fort Worth, TX when her cookbook “From a Louisiana Kitchen” was released. I cherish my signed copy of it! She was so gracious and fun to talk with. I know you miss her terribly. I only met her this one time, but she touched my life and I’ve never forgotten her. God bless.
Patricia Blanton
December 20, 2021
I am so sad to learn of Holly’s passing. My husband and I met her in New Orleans back in 1992. We bought her cookbook, Trim & Terrific and she signed it for us. We later ordered more of her books and all were signed by her. I used to get her email updates, but lost touch during the pandemic. I can’t begin to tell you how often I have used her recipes and our all time favorite is the Chocolate Layered Dessert. Other favorites that we continue to enjoy are the Chicken and Linguine and Shrimp Primavera (my dad’s favorite we cooked on vacation at Hilton Head). Great recipes and great memories of enjoying the food she shared in her cookbooks! My husband requested her chocolate layered dessert for father’s day this Sunday and we will be remembering Holly.
Lisa Bunch
Acquaintance
June 17, 2021
I had the honor of working as Holly’s assistant during St. Louis Cooks. I still have the autographed cookbook that she gave me as a Thank You. She was a delightful person that I really enjoyed meeting assisting. I am so very sorry for your loss and that the world has lost such a shining star.
Andi Everding,
St. Louis, MO
Andi Everding
April 10, 2020
Deepest Sympathy !Rest In Heaven Holly. I enjoyed watching you on TV . My Husband is up there in Heaven his name is Joseph Anderson.
Cynthia Young Anderson
November 10, 2019
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Elaine Pounds Thomas and Family
November 8, 2019
Mike and family: It was my intention to be present at the memorial service for Holly in Baton Rouge this morning but was incapacitated. My heartfelt sympathy is extended to you! Jim Pierson
November 7, 2019
To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say.
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I’m writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there’s no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight.
Remember that I’m with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, “I welcome you.”
It’s good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they’ll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you’re part of my plan.
There’s so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day’s chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you. in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn’t understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o’er.
I’m closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I’d like it for you too.
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who’s in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night. “My day was not in vain.”
And now I am contented. that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you’re walking down the street, and you’ve got me on your mind;
I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it’s time for you to go. from that body to be free,
remember you’re not going. you’re coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
