Doni Solich

Doni Dodig was born on April 16, 1921 in Kansas City, Kansas. Her mother, Simica and father, Mike were immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. Doni and her siblings Ann, Bronco, Mike, George and Rod grew up in Kansas City where the family was active in St. George’s Serbian Orthodox Church and where Doni sang in the choir. During World War II, a young serviceman in the Air Force named George Solich was in training school in Kansas City when he and his other Serbian friends visited St. George's for Sunday service. It was there that George and Doni first met. Doni did her part in the war effort too, working as a riveter at the North American Bomber Plant in Kansas City. Doni and George were married in St. George’s Serbian Orthodox Church on May 22, 1948. Soon after they moved to Pueblo, Colorado where George’s family had settled. In 1950, George and Doni started their family with the birth of twin boys, Mitch and Mike. In 1952, another boy, Greg was born followed in 1959 by Geoff “Duffy” and finally George, who was born in 1961. A move to Colorado Springs in 1967 became home to the family until 2008. Doni lost her loving husband, George in April 1996 after 48 wonderful years together. George lovingly referred to Doni as his "Flower". Doni moved to the Vi in Highlands Ranch in 2008 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She lived independently at the Vi and made many new friends, including her best friend Lee Moore. Doni was also blessed to have two wonderful caregivers and friends, Sonia and Cyndi. The love and care from her nurses and staff at the Vi and Optum Hospice made for a blessed passing in her final days.

Doni Solich was a beautiful and loving wife, wonderful mother and aunt, perfect grandmother and a giving and loyal friend to many. She lived her life for her family and gave so unselfishly of herself, always thinking of others. She was a fantastic cook and baker and enjoyed the opportunity to "cook up a storm" for her family and friends. She was a loyal Denver Bronco fan who relished in the incredible Super Bowl 50 victory. She was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren on a how to live a full and generous life.

Doni went peacefully to the Lord on February 29, 2016 at the age of 94, surrounded by her loving family. Doni is survived by her five sons, Mitch (Barb), Mike (Cindy), Geoff "Duffy" (Anita), and George (Carol) of Denver, and Greg, of Colorado Springs along with her brother-in-law Lou Solich (Rose) of Pueblo; her nieces Cheryl Solich of Denver, Mickie Pate of Pueblo, and Marlene Mihelich of Colorado Springs; niece Melanie Miller and nephews Stephen and Rod Dodig of Kansas City, Kansas. She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren - Stephanie, Kristine, David, Nikolos, Danielle, Grant, Samantha, Hannah, Logan, Brooke, Jordan, Cooper, Clayton, Bridget and Madeline.

A Visitation will be held at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary and Cemetery at 6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO. 80121 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, March 4, 2016. A Celebration of Life will be held at Greenwood Community Church, 5600 E. Belleview Ave, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 on Saturday, March 5th at 10:00 am. A reception immediately following the service for all friends and family will be at Cherry Hills Country Club 4125 S. University Blvd., Cherry Hills Village, CO. 80113. The burial service will be at Evergreen Cemetery 1005 S. Hancock Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 at 3:30 pm followed by an open celebration at Luigi's restaurant, 947 S. Tejon St, Colorado Springs, 90903.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George's Serbian Orthodox Church 11001 Greenwood St., Lenexa, Kansas 66215. Condolences may be offered at Olingerchapelhill.com