Mary Solomon

Mary Solomon, a resident of Poughkeepsie for the past 48 years, passed awaypeacefully Saturday February 18.
Mary was born Mary Katherine Sparks to Joseph and Mary Sparks on August 1, 1936 in Tupper Lake. Mary was the youngest of six children withfour brothers and one sister.  
Mary spent her whole childhood in Tupper Lake and graduated valedictorian from Tupper Lake High School. Mary continued her education, receiving a bachelor's degree from the College of Saint Rose in Albany N.Y.  and as the only woman in her class and on a full academic scholarship,  a Master's degree in zoology from Syracuse University’s College of Forestry.
Mary moved to Poughkeepsie with her husband, Murray, in 1969 with their three children. There she began a life of public service and volunteerism that spanned nearlyfive decades. Mary started as a member of the PTA in the Poughkeepsie Public School District and later was elected to the Poughkeepsie School Board, eventually became the president of the school board . Mary was director of the Vassar Temple religious school for seven years , workedfor Dutchess Outreach as a volunteer coordinator, volunteered her time at the LunchBox in Poughkeepsie and spent many years working for the Red Cross as Coordinator for Volunteers.
Mary also travelled for the Red Cross to disaster sites across the country to provide support to victims of natural disasters.  Mary was alsoa first responder on9/11 and among other jobs, worked inlandfills finding remains of victims of thedisaster.  Mary, a lifelong Democrat, spent many years on the Board of the City of Poughkeepsie’s Housing Authority.  She ran for and was elected to the Poughkeepsie Common Counsel representing the Sixth Ward for four consecutive terms.
Mary loved the outdoorsand spent much of her free time camping, hiking, skiing and canoeing with her family. Mary’s other interests include attendingthe opera, reading and hosting family get-togethers year after year.
Mary is survived by her husband, Murray, her children Barry, Judith and Matthew, son-in-law Alan, daughter-in-law Sherry and seven grandchildren Ethan, Kyle, Hannah, Andrew, Jacob, Max and Nick and sister in law, Toby Solomon.