Ann L. Solary

Ann Lee Mitchell Solary, age 91, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 1, 2014. A French Canadian descendant, she was born to Mary Gaspard Mitchell and Joseph Ralph Mitchell in Alexandria, Louisiana on June 13, 1922.

The oldest of four children, and a child of the Depression, Ann learned the lessons of sacrifice and hard work set by her parents' examples. She remembered working at a young age alongside her brothers picking cotton early in the morning “because it was heavy with the dew and would bring more money when weighed.”

Ann was a graduate of St. Xavier’s Catholic Girls School in Alexandria. Ann met the love of her life, Antonio Joseph Solary III, a Jacksonville native, while attending a dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Many soldiers from nearby Fort Beauregard attended the dance that rainy evening. An accidental brushing by a wet Army trench coat against her freshly ironed dress led to her chance meeting with a handsome soldier whom she would wed on October 31, 1940 in Dillon, SC, and share forty two years of marriage.

Following the war, the family lived in Jacksonville and Ann began a 30 year banking career. Most of those years were spent with Marine National Bank, retiring as a vice president. Upon retiring, she and Joe enjoyed many years traveling in their Volkswagen camper throughout the country. After his death, she returned to work and spent 15 years at the Merrill Road Wal-Mart, retiring at the age of 82.

Ann will be remembered for her sweet and gentle spirit and her exceptional loving and giving nature. Well known for her warm hospitality and southern charm, the comfort of her guests always came first. She had many friends, including her long time friend, Andrew “Bud” Budnick.

She was very close to her daughter, Jo Ann, and they enjoyed many road trips together throughout the country.

Ann became a resident of The Atrium in 2012 and was lovingly attended to by a dedicated and caring staff. The family wishes to thank The Atrium staff and Community Hospice for their compassionate care of Ann and her family.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Lavinia Solary Orren and her husband John of Jacksonville, FL; her three grandchildren, Paula J. Duckworth and her husband Jim of Rochester, NH; Paul A. Wallace and his fiancé Li Rui of Boulder, CO; and, Paulette A. Ward of Jacksonville, FL; her four great grandchildren, Brian M. Newsky of Rochester, NH; Alan P. Ward, Zachary N. Ward, and Tyler J. Ward, of Jacksonville, FL; a sister in law, Alice Mitchell of Alexandria, LA; a brother in law, William Wentworth of Lafayette, LA; and her dear and longtime friend, Andrew Budnick of Jacksonville, FL. She was predeceased by her husband, Antonio Joseph Solary, and her three siblings Clarence L. Mitchell, David P. Mitchell, and Bonnie F. Wentworth.

Services are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Chapel Hills. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 at 12:00pm at Chapel Hills, 850 St. Johns Bluff Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225 (904) 641-9755. The family will receive friends this same day on Wednesday from 10am-12pm. Interment will follow immediately after