Ijamsville, MD

Born in Detroit on April 6, 1946 to Stephen and Bernice Grenda Soltis, Mary Ann Soltis transferred to spirit on January 27, 2025 after bravely battling a parkinsonism called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). In 1947, her family relocated to a farm near McGees Mills, PA near Glen Campbell where her dad grew up in the early 1900's. The farm is where Mary Ann developed her love of the outdoors, gardening and cats.

After graduating in 1964 from Purchase Line High School in Indiana Co. PA, Mary Ann entered Westmoreland School of Nursing in Greensburg PA where she completed her RN degree in 1967 and enlisted in the Army Nurses Corp requesting assignment in California which became her home for over 50 years. After serving in Vietnam and reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant, Mary Ann completed her service at the Presidio in San Francisco and settled in Marin County just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The US Post Office then became her next port of call for 28 years in Mill Valley and after retiring in 2002, Mary Ann completed her degree at College of Marin and Sonoma State University to become a substitute teacher in the San Rafael School District. After twelve years teaching, she fully retired in 2020 when the Covid pandemic began and her loss of voice made it difficult to teach. Throughout this time, Mary Ann was active in her church, Self-Realization Fellowship founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, which teaches the acceptance of all religions and practices meditation to reach God's closeness. Mary Ann achieved the level of Kryiaban, a devotee of a high level of meditation.

After her PSP diagnosis in 2021, Mary Ann moved to Frederick MD to be near her sister and received the care necessary for her condition. There are many caretakers who provided selfless support to Mary Ann in her last months at Tribute at Black Hills in Germantown MD for which the family is most grateful. Special thanks to Ruth and Abby Rabbit with Mary, who brought her comfort and compassion.

Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, sister Barbara, brother Stephen, niece Lisa Anne Soltis and beloved friend and mentor, Patricia McBride. She is survived by her sister, Teresa and her husband Marvin Schwab of Ijamsville MD; her beloved first cousins Victor Soltis (Linda), Sarasota FL and Linda Soltis, San Francisco; loyal friend, Suzann Stotlemyer, Frederick MD; friend and little sister, Christine Champion (Mynta West), Delray Beach, FL; and her second family in California, the Champies of all generations; and her cat, Penny, now in the loving care of Teresa and Marvin. Many thanks to all of her high school and nursing school classmates who rallied to support Mary Ann and cheer her with cards and letters, specifically Nancy and John Lenz, Bill Long, Bernadette McDonald, Esther Chapman, Melissa Dunlap and special friend, Janice Huggs from SRF. To the Class of '64 60th reunion attendees: your embrace in prayer of Mary Ann was profound. Thank you Carl and Whitney.

Per her wishes, there will be no formal services, but there will be Celebrations of Life in California and Pennsylvania at a later time. Condolences to the family can be shared at www.rollinslifecelebrationcenter.com or emailed to tmtravel1@hotmail.com.