Native daughter Cathy D’Angelo Holmes, a commercial real estate broker at Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley, took the long way around before settling in her hometown of Napa and embracing a career in commercial real estate. “I was born and raised in Napa, but I moved to Dallas, Tex., right after college. I was influenced by the TV show ‘Dallas’—now returning to the airwaves!” she explains. “While I was growing up, it was on right after ‘Falcon Crest,’ which featured Napa Valley. I wanted both lifestyles, so I chose Dallas before I chose my career.
“While living in Texas, I split my career between the high-tech industry and the lending business. While doing real estate loans, I always wanted to be on the realtor side. So when my husband and I decided to raise our daughter in Napa, I decided to change careers.”
Holmes recently completed her sixth year in the company’s commercial division, which makes it a total of nine years selling real estate in Napa Valley. Asked what about the job is most appealing, her answer is simple: “Helping people reach their dreams.”
What do you love to do outside of work?
Gardening with succulent plants is a new hobby, and I collect antique toys, banks and washboards. Of course, I love my food and wine, so I mustn’t forget exercising enough to I can enjoy it while living a healthy lifestyle.
Describe one of your happiest life moments.
I know this sounds canned, but the birth of my daughter was the most magical moment of my life.
What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it?
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. It’s for all us women over age 40, who are married with children and trying to juggle a career. The author reveals thoughts about her life, marriage, work and children that I shared but would never have dared mention to anyone. She puts it out there; she made me feel “normal.”
Have you ever had a really bad haircut?
I was 13 years old, in seventh grade, and I agreed to have my hair cut by my uncle, who was a hairdresser. An artist friend of his did a pencil drawing of it, which became an ad in the local paper. The cut had a name—“The Scamp”—funny how you remember the little details when it affected you so greatly. When he was finished, my hair was so short that a comb didn’t change the look. I remember as clearly as if it were yesterday, standing in front of the mirror deciding if it would be worse to wear a hat or just sport the new ’do. At 13, all you want is to fit in, not attract that kind of attention.
Do you believe in miracles?
My faith opens me up to believing in many miracles.
Do you have a junk drawer? What’s in it?
It’s in the kitchen and filled with everything from sticky notes to screwdrivers.
If you could have a conversation with anyone from history, who would you choose?
Anne Frank. I think often about how difficult her life was. In fact, thinking about this has just encouraged me to have my daughter read the Diary. She’s 11. It’s time.
Of all the places in the world, where would you choose to live (besides the North Bay)?
Italy. I love everything about the way of life, from the food to the daily schedule they keep. They’re so much more relaxed about life.
What quality do you appreciate most in a friend?
Sincerity—just be you.
What TV programs did you love as a child?
“I Love Lucy.” I would fight my brothers for the remote (they wanted to watch “Hogan’s Heroes”). I won out most days.
What would you like to be known for?
Helping others in many capacities.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My height. Of course, that’s the one thing about our appearance we can’t really do anything about. I’m 5 feet tall on a good hair day. When I was growing up, I couldn’t find clothes that fit. I could never walk into a department store and wear something that same day; I was a tailor’s dream. Today, petite clothing is easy to find, but being short still isn’t much fun. Fortunately, my husband is 6 feet 4 inches, so this trait won’t be passed to my daughter.
What’s your favorite type of weather?
I love the sun at 80 degrees. I call it “perfect tennis weather.”
Which word or phrase do you overuse the most?
“Really!” I must confess I use it with a sarcastic tone—kind of a substitute for “I told you so.”
If you could turn into an animal at will, which one would you choose?
A mountain lion. I love the color of their coat, the strength and length of their bodies (back to the height thing again) and how fast and agile they are.
