Rosemary Annette Soldano

Rosemary “Rosie” Soldano passed away on January 5th, 2022. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home in Easton, MD. She was 98 and had a very abundant and active life. Rosemary was born on August 6th, 1923 in Andover, Hampshire, England. She spent the first 7 years of her life in London, often visiting with cousins, aunts, and grandparents in Andover and in Chenies. In 1930, she and her family voyaged to America to support her father’s job at an estate in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Rosemary did quite well academically, graduating from high school at the age of 16 and attending the Washington School for Secretaries. She became Secretary to the Personal Director and to the Assistant Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Schools and an Office Services Manager. Rosemary later graduated from Anne Arundel Community College. Highlights of her life included marriage on her 21st birthday, and subsequent widowhood to first husband Edsel Weaver, WWII Warrant Officer, US Navy 1944-45. The birth of their daughter, Laurel, in September 1945. Her marriage to Ted Soldano in 1949 and owning their first house in Wheaton, MD, in 1950. Rosemary and Ted had a cottage on the water in Annapolis, MD and enjoyed visits with relatives in Andover, England. They moved to Annapolis Roads in Annapolis, MD in 1963. Boating became a way of life, and boat trips with neighborhood friends were times that Rosemary and Ted treasured dearly. Rosemary and Ted moved to Prospect Bay in Grasonville, MD in 1994. Many memories were made there with family, including walks around the community and swimming at the community pool. They then moved to Chester, MD for a few years, followed by Londonderry in Easton, MD in 2003 for the remainder of their lives. Rosemary became co-editor of the Londonderry Lines newsletter for many years and enjoyed being involved in various community activities—recent favorites included a singing group and playing mahjong. She was also known for riding her bicycle around the neighborhood. An active member of the Episcopal Church, Rosemary joined the choir and became Senior Warden for Old Wye Parish in Wye Mills, MD. She later attended services at Christ Church in Easton, MD and participated in virtual programs during the pandemic. Rosemary loved music, especially playing the piano and organ, even having an organ in her Annapolis home. She also loved reading, and through sheer determination continued to do so despite experiencing significant vision loss in recent years. Rosemary was a talented artist, from oil painting to watercolor and collage—she could do it all, even sculpting and painting a full nativity scene for her family. Never one to miss a gathering or event, she loved planning and all-things-social. Rosemary spent many summers with relatives and friends at Deep Creek Lake, Ocean City, MD, Lewes, DE, and Myrtle Beach, SC. She and her sister, Dorothy Quimper, had many adventures—cruises through Nova Scotia and Alaska, and trips to the UK, to name a few. Rosemary cherished time spent with her 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Rosemary is survived by daughter Jennie Russell and son-in-law Jim Gibbs; son Mark Soldano and daughter-in-law Julie Lowe; son Chris Soldano and daughter-in-law Carrie; grandchildren Juliet McPherson, Rose Soldano, Andy Soldano (and wife Brie), Matt Soldano (and wife Mary), Peter Soldano; great-grandchild Christopher Soldano; niece Beth Scott (and husband Bob); cousins Dot Chaffey (and husband John) and John Thrush (and wife Pom); and many other cousins. She was preceded in death by husband Ted Soldano, daughter Laurie Weaver, and sister Dorothy Quimper. A remembrance ceremony will be held at Old Wye Church in Wye Mills, MD sometime this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rosemary’s memory to Talbot Interfaith Shelter (TIS) at PO Box 2004 Easton MD 21601 or to Talbot Hospice at 586 Cynwood Drive in Easton, MD.

Rosemary Annette Soldano

August 6, 1923 - January 5, 2022