Margaret Solorzano

Margaret Kathryn Solórzano (née Dixon) peacefully passed June 1st, 2023, at Sibley Hospital, surrounded by her large and loving family. Beloved wife of the late Luis “Lucho” Solórzano, she was predeceased by their son Marcos. With a deep appreciation and love for family, she was a pillar of strength and support for her seven children. “Mimi” was an adored mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law, and a proud grandmother of eight, step-grandmother of three, great-grandmother of five, and step great-grandmother of eight. She was cherished as “Aunt Kathryn“ to her Dixon family nieces and nephews. Grandson Peter writes, “Mimi was one of the most peaceful and polite people I have ever known. She was the perfect picture of serenity, and there will never be anyone else like her.”

Born 1926 in Macomb, Illinois (home state of both her parents), she spent her early childhood in Nampa, Idaho, where her parents were educators, and she was known as “Tatty” and “Kathryn.” When she was twelve, the family moved to Washington, D.C, her parents having met there during WWI. She graduated from American University, majoring in Romance languages, and worked at the Pan American Union, Statistical Division | Organization of American States (OAS) where she met Lucho, a native of Quito, Ecuador. She received a MLS from The Catholic University of America where she later worked as a librarian until 1982. In retirement, Lucho and Margarita traveled the world and visited 48 of the 50 states, often roving in their Winnebago.

A celebration of her life is being planned for early autumn. In lieu of flowers (or other items advertised on these pages as part of this notification service), the family asks that you please consider a memorial contribution to one of the following charities which align with Margaret’s values and her interests in justice, community and the natural world:

The Southern Poverty Law Center, where Margaret’s granddaughter Julia Solórzano carries on her grandparents’ tradition of service and social justice as a Senior Staff Attorney at the Immigrant Justice Project.https://www.splcenter.org/

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition, whose environmental and cultural preservation work in Margaret’s native Idaho helps preserve the land she loved and the native cultures that held her deepest respect, as well as call us back to family stories about summer vacations and bears.https://greateryellowstone.org/

The Avalon Theater Project, a 100-year-old community-supported film center, as Margarita (just three years younger than the theater), was a regular at the monthly shows for seniors, often accompanied by a throng of family members, a testament to her love and support for the arts.https://www.theavalon.org/

José Andres’ World Central Kitchen, whose global projects Margaret followed with great admiration, she, herself, having been a truly global citizen.https://wck.org