In Memoriam – May 2025

Each month, Tri Delta publishes In Memoriam, highlighting the lives of some of our Distinguished Deltas and longtime volunteers and sharing a full list of sisters who have recently passed away. Below is the In Memoriam for May 2025.

Tess Holcomb, Arizona

Tri Delta mourns the loss of Tess Holcomb, Arizona, a lifelong champion of sisterhood, service and scholarship.

Tess served Tri Psi, the sorority co-founded by Sarah Ida Shaw for the mothers of Tri Delta, with heart and vision as International President and chapter president of Alpha Mu. She was a constant advocate for Tri Psi and one of its most dedicated champions. Tess poured her energy into helping the organization grow, organizing scholarships, planning conventions and mentoring members with quiet determination. She never sought recognition, only progress. Her steady leadership and tireless commitment helped ensure that Tri Psi could continue uplifting Tri Delta members for years to come.

Her children, including Tri Delta alumna Alixe Holcomb, Arizona, wrote, “Our mom was truly one of a kind. She had a beautiful way of connecting with everyone she met through laughter, kindness and her warm, generous spirit.”

Tess became a member of Tri Delta later in her life, following in the footsteps of her daughter. After 10 years of volunteering with the collegians of our Phi Beta Chapter, Tess became an alumna initiate and continued her connection and service to both organizations. Before her passing, she shared, “When people ask me why I chose Tri Delta, I always say it was because my daughter chose it. She had such a positive experience and I wanted to be a part of that as well. As an alumna initiate, I may not have had the same collegiate experience as my daughter, but I have seen firsthand the growth and positive impact that Tri Delta has on its members. Through my involvement with Tri Delta, I have also had the opportunity to give back to the community by assisting with events like the Dhop for St. Jude and collecting donations for the organization. Attending these events and seeing the impact that Tri Delta has on both its members and the community has been truly fulfilling.”

In her honor, we invite you to make a gift to the Tri Psi Scholarship Fund, carrying forward her legacy of empowering young women to grow, lead and thrive.

In Memoriam

This In Memoriam list includes sisters who were reported as deceased to Executive Office May 1 through May 31, 2025. If you know of a sister who has passed away, please report her information to Executive Office by emailing memberrecords@trideltaeo.org.