Mary Solko

Mary Solko, 93, died of pancreatic cancer on January 20, 2011. She was a native of Charleston, WV and long time resident of MD. She is predeceased by her husband, Col. Joseph C. Solko, whom she married at Bolling AFB in June 1951. She is also predeceased by her daughter, Charleen Solko. She leaves a son, John D. Solko, of Bowie MD, a daughter, Sharon Spurrier of Aurora, CO, four grandchildren, Steven and Megan Solko and Scott and Jamie Spurrier, and a brother, Paul B. Holder, now residing in Clearwater, FL.
She devoted much of her life in support of the mentally handicapped. In 1976 she founded Vocational Services, Inc. (VSI), a day program for the mentally handicapped. Later she founded CALMRA, Inc. (Christian Assisted Living for M.R. Adults), an agency to provide residential services to M.R. adults.
She served on the Board of Directors of both of these agencies as well as the Board of Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy, Inc., which provides services for the handicapped in both DC and MD. She also supported ARC of the State of MD and of P.G. Co., where she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions.
She was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville, MD and an active member of the Andrews AFB Chapel, in Camp Springs, MD.
Friends and family may call at Gasch's Funeral Home, 4739 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville MD on Friday, Jan. 28. A viewing will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, with memorial services immediately following. Interment at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to CALMRA, Inc. at 5020 Sunnyside Ave., Suite 206, Beltsville MD 20705.