Emilia Solano: 1931-2011

Emilia Solano: 1931-2011

Amarillo—Emilia Solano, who served on the staff at the Diocesan Pastoral Center from 1990 to 2010, passed away Sept. 10 after a brief illness. She was 72 years old.

Memorial Services were conducted Sept. 13, LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Martin Road Chapel, Father Ed Sweeney, presiding.

Emilia Solano was born Dec. 4, 1938 in Leila Lake, the daughter of Barbino Chavez and Chana Muro. She grew up in Amarillo, attending St. Mary’s Academy and later, Amarillo College. She married Raymond Solano Sr. in Amarillo in 1955.

Solano spent 20 years on the staff at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, working primarily as secretary for the Office of the Permanent Diaconate with Father Sweeney and later with Deacon Blaine Westlake. She also served as secretary for Bishop Leroy T. Matthiesen following his retirement in 1997.

She enjoyed reading. She loved spending time with her family and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Deacon Raymond Solano Sr. in 2000, a son, Raymond Solano Jr. in 2000; a brother, Eloy Muro; and a granddaughter, Brianna Solano in 2007.

In addition to her family at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, survivors include four daughters, Maria Solano, Barbara Solano, Kathy Mezger and husband Michael and Elaine Solano, all of Amarillo; a son, Joseph Solano of Salem Ore.; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four bothers, Frank and his wife Cindy, Isidoro, Ramon and Jesse; and three sisters, Cecilia, Juliana and Rosalie.