Rita Barbara Soloman's Obituary
Soloman, Rita B. El Cajon- Rita Soloman, 96, passed away on July 13th at her home and surrounded by family. Born in Buffalo, NY in 1926, Rita was the oldest of three daughters raised in a Polish community by their parents, Edward and Stella Szklarz. Rita moved to California in 1952 and later to San Diego in 1959 with her husband Frank Soloman Sr. and their three children, Linda, Dianne and Frank Jr. In addition to being a homemaker, Rita worked as a waitress in several San Diego area restaurants. In 1970, with their life savings and nothing more than determination and the will to work, the Soloman family would embark on a journey that saw the founding of Southland Envelope Company, Inc. It was at this time that Rita began her life in envelopes! Years would pass and the fledgling business would see steady growth. Tragedy would strike the Soloman family with the unexpected passing of both Frank Sr. and Linda in 1981. Rita and her remaining family members, including her oldest grandson Michael, would persevere and carry Southland Envelope into its next chapter of growth and success. In 1992, Rita would remarry a friend and fellow widower, Charles Davis. It was during this time that Rita enjoyed working a bit less and traveling extensively both nationally and internationally. The nineties and early 2000’s were a period of progress and happiness for Rita both personally and professionally. In 2004, Rita would once again become a widow and start anew. However, with work at the envelope company, her love of cooking and being in the kitchen, spending time with grandchildren and new great-grandchildren, Rita was never bored. In 2015, Rita and the Soloman family experienced additional tragedy with the sudden passing her grandson, Michael Gharring, and Rita herself experiencing a stroke and some decline in health. Nevertheless, her faith in God, the support of her extended family at St. Kieran Catholic Church and her never-ending will to survive carried her through to the very end.
Rita is survived by children, Dianne and Frank Jr., grandchildren, Aaron Gharring, David Gonzalez (Monica), Cati DiGiovanni (Silverio), Kevin Soloman, Audri McCulloch, Amanda Soloman, Megan Murphy (Sean), and 17 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Theresa Kirkland. Rita will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
A Visitation Service and Rosary will be held at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave. San Diego, on 8/5/22 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Kieran Catholic Church, 1510 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, at 10:00 am on 8/6/22.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita Soloman’s name may be made to:
The Elizabeth Hospice, 8989 Rio San Diego Dr., Ste. 190, San Diego
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