Mary Solano
Mary Solano, lost her heart health battle with her daughters by her side, joining her husband Mel in Heaven on Friday, December 1st , prior to her 88th birthday. She wanted to spend her final healing in her adored and loved home.
Born Mary Ellen Olivares in Alhambra, California on January 9, 1936 to Ventura Olivares and Angela Cabrera Olivares. Her parents later moving to Carpinteria, where she lived her younger years.
Shortly before she was 19 years old, Mary moved to the beautiful city of Santa Barbara. She got a job with General Telephone Company on Chapala Street, where she continued to work and proudly retired 35 years later.
She married Conrad Escareno June 23, 1956, and had 3 daughters, Patricia, Teresa, and Carolyne. They built a home together on Manitou Road. They vacationed at Bass Lake with friends and family for 2 weeks each year. They were married for 21 years.
She reconnected with with an old high school friend, dated briefly and married Mel Solano on November 10, 1990. She lived an enjoyable life with Mel and their dogs, Bubbles (Shitzu) and Buddy (Maltese). They loved to travel in their 5th wheel and camp, where they enjoyed outdoor fresh air.
Mary loved to watch the Dodgers. She could name every player, and knew their entire history as an athlete. If she went to a Dodger Game, she was dressed for the occasion in Dodger blue. Mary also loved the holiday season to be together with the family.
After Mel lost his battle with cancer in 2015, Mary had to readjust to living by herself. She continued her interest in watching every Dodger Game. She took up gardening, planting fresh vegetables each spring season and becoming an expert at growing. She always accepted an invite to any casino, whether it meant Chumash Casino, Laughlin, Las Vegas, or Bluewater Casino in Parker, AZ.
Mary leaves behind her daughters Pat Carroll (Rob), Teresa Spaulding (Fred Bischoff), Carolyne Espindola (Pete); grandchildren, Kevin and Tianna Carroll, Amanda (Lou) and Brandon Spaulding, Paulette (Nikki) and Lauren Espindola. Also leaving behind her darling sisters Rosie Rosales and Asuncion Romero, whom she talked to daily for hours. And Buddy.
Mary was preceded in death by her Olivares brothers: John, Silvario, Thomas, and Tony.
The family will be inviting all to join her Celebration of Life on Saturday January 13, 2024 at 12:00PM, at the Santa Barbara Woman’s Club, 670 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Wearing Dodger blue clothing is highly encouraged.
In honoring her wishes, we will be placing her ashes with Mel and Bubbles at the Carpinteria Cemetery in a private ceremony.
Special Thanks to VNA Hospice Care that helped nurse Mary in the comfort of her home in her last days. And Thank You to Dr. Aragon, for his diligent efforts in her time of illness.