Theola L. Soldan

FRAMINGHAM - Theola Lavon (Gordon) Soldan died Sunday March 15. She was born the only child of Gilbert James and Ethel Winifred (Major) Gordon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and grew up in Marion, Iowa. She learned early about business matters from her family, who owned the local grocery store, and she learned golf from her mother – an avid golfer. Theola graduated from Marion’s high school and went on to Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Louis Walter Soldan, Jr. They married in September, 1944, and moved to Boston MA where Louis had earned a scholarship to Harvard Dental School. He later joined a practice in the area and both their sons were born there. They moved to Natick and built a home. Soon however, Louis contracted polio from one of his patients – he survived but was unable to practice afterward. These were tough times for a young couple with two small children and whose families were so far away. Yet, together, they not only survived, but managed to develop a business which was a success. They moved to Framingham. With a hoist on the roof of their car, they were able to travel and do many things that would not occur to others with far fewer obstacles.

Theola enjoyed her small garden, entertaining friends, bowling, bridge club, and was member of the Framingham Young Women’s Club and participated in some of their “Follies” in the early 1960’s. After Louis suddenly passed away in 1981, she began traveling more – both around the US and to various places throughout the world. She was in Turkey on September 11, 2001. And she kept on traveling as long as she was able.

Throughout her life, Theola was an inspiration to many – whatever happens, you don’t give up, if you work hard, you will succeed. Theola is survived by her two sons, Donn and his wife Marcia of Hopkinton, MA, and Dann and his wife Christine of Tarrytown, NY, and by her two grandchildren Matt of Chicago, IL, and Jennifer and her husband Nick Crovo, of Westborough, MA.

Visiting hours will be 4-8 pm on Thursday, March 19. Funeral services will be on Friday, March 20, at 9:00 am., in the Wadsworth-Chiappini Funeral Home, 318 Union Avenue, FRAMINGHAM. Burial will follow in Edgell Grove Cemetery, Grove St., Framingham Center. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the March of Dimes.

Arrangements under the direction of MetroWest Funeral and Cremation Service - Wadsworth-Chiappini, Framingham, MA.