Patricia B. (Brady) Soller

Patricia B. Soller, 94, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Hospice of the Valley’s Hospice House early Tuesday morning, October 3, 2017.  Pat was born July 18, 1923 to James Roland and Marian Ewing Brady in Pittsburgh, PA.  She was preceded in death by her brother James Ewing Brady.

Pat was a valedictorian graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School and received her bachelor's degree in education from Oberlin College. At Oberlin she met Karl Ewing Soller.  They were wed on July 21, 1945 after Karl returned from Europe where he served in the Army during World War II.   They lived in Oberlin, Hiram (where she taught third and fourth grade) and then Cleveland while Karl attended Western Reserve University's School of Dentistry.  Shortly after her husband's graduation in 1952, they relocated to Youngstown where Dr. Soller opened his private dental practice.

Mrs. Soller became a dedicated homemaker and mother to their four children, not working again outside the home until their youngest child was in junior high school.  In 1964, she attended Kent State University and earned her certificate in library science.  From 1970-74, she was librarian at Howland High School before becoming head librarian at Boardman High School in 1974 from which she retired in 1986.

In her retirement, Pat became engaged in several community activities, in particular, working as a docent at the Butler Museum of American Art.  She and Karl enjoyed traveling together and took many trips in the U.S. and abroad including several Elder Hostel stays.

Pat was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown for over 50 years. At the church Mrs. Soller: was an ordained Elder and served several terms on the Session; was a Deacon and served as treasurer; taught kindergarten Sunday school; served on the library committee; was active in the Women's Association and served as their treasurer. She coordinated the Sunday Adult Forum classes for many years, inviting informative and educational speakers from throughout the Youngstown community to participate.  Pat and Karl researched and wrote A Brief History of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, Ohio 1799-1999, in celebration of the church’s bicentennial.

Her community engagement included membership in the Youngstown Garden Club, Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, Four Square Club, Ohio Cultural Alliance, P.E.O., American Association of University Women, and the Oberlin Women's Club. She was passionate about the organization Planned Parenthood and volunteered many years as a receptionist for them.

All her life, Pat was a voracious reader, appreciated good literature across all genres, and participated in several book clubs. She had a love of poetry and remembered and recited favorite poems with ease.  A lifelong learner, Pat sought out opportunities to know more of and experience the world around us.  She subscribed to the Youngstown Symphony, attended lectures at Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute.  She kept abreast of the accomplishments of her large extended family and friends, clipping and cataloguing many articles and keeping notes to pass down through the generations.

Mrs. Soller will always be remembered for her ability to make people feel special, remembering every birthday, graduation, anniversary, and achievement by sending personal notes and cards. She maintained and nurtured decades–long friendships with multiple generations of people.  Pat’s home was warm and welcoming, a center of many memorable gatherings where her skills as a wonderful cook and hostess were much admired.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Karl Ewing Soller, on January 23, 2004, and son, Dr. Mark Brady Soller on February 13, 2007.

Mrs. Soller is survived by: her three children,  James Ewing (Janet Clark) Soller of Houston, TX, Dr. Hilary Ann (Dr. David M. Scoggin) Soller of Lancaster, OH, and Karl Christopher (John "Jack" Curry) Soller of Long Island, NY; daughter-in-law, Cynthia A. Soller of Boardman; six grandchildren, Michael (Jessica Garrison) Soller of Davis, CA, Jessica (Keith Adkins) Soller of Houston, TX, Katy Scoggin of Columbus, OH,  Brian Soller of Columbus, Craig (Ashley) Soller of Columbus, and Eric (fiancée Jamie Petrus) Soller of Cleveland; two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Joseph Soller; many loving nieces and nephews; and a host of dear friends, many of whom were lifelong. Her family is grateful for the love, friendship, and support of Pat’s Visiting Angel, Mary Engle.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, November 3 from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday, November 5 from 1-2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 p.m. at the church with Revs. Rebecca Kahnt and Nick Mager officiating.

Memorial tributes may take the form of contributions in Mrs. Soller's name to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, ATTN: Development, 206 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215 or the Abiding Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave, Youngstown, OH 44503.

Arrangements are by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.