Janice Lee Vreeman Solava, 66, died peacefully in her home in Largo, FL on January 15, 2015 from a rare neurodegenerative disease called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). She fought for 8 years and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus with her family at her bedside.
She was born to Gerrit Vreeman and Jontina Vreeman as one of 12 children, on March 20, 1948 in the town of Harvey, IL. During the summers, while in college, she worked at Eastman Kodak processing lab in downtown Chicago where she met her husband of 45 years, Frank Solava. After marrying, she graduated from University of Illinois – Chicago, with a Bachelor’s in Education. Frank and Jan moved to Largo, FL. She attended University of South Florida and received a Masters Degree from the College of Education.
Jan was a wonderful educator and taught at Keswick Christian School, Northside Christian School, and spent 24 years at Seminole Middle School in Pinellas County. She also loved to antique, reupholster furniture, was a talented seamstress and artist and loved to sing with the choir at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks where she was a member.
She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, her 2 children, Mike (Tina Solava) and Dana (Ryan Mlynarski), her pride and joy – 5 grandchildren, Madi, Michael, Ella, Matthew and Sophia, her sisters Lavone, Geri and her brother Tim, along with countless nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 1265 Ulmerton Road, Largo with services beginning at 3:00 PM. An “Afternoon Tea” Reception in Jan’s honor will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Janice Solava to Suncoast Hospice Foundation at 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760, www.thehospice.org.
Aunt Jan- thank you so much for your kindness over the years. I know that you are in no more pain and you are now one of our Guardian Angels!!! I love you dearly
Rest in peace sweet child of God. We will miss you very much but through the promise we will see you again. “Oh how we cried the day you left us and gathered round your grave to grieve. Wish I could see the angel’s faces when they hear your sweet voice sing. Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done. Go to Heaven a shouting’ Love for the Father and the Son”
Jan, even though we spend did not a great deal of time together, you and I had a bond that was immediate and strong. I always felt close to you, like you understood me and this Msa ordeal.
Please greet me in the world we’ll encounter next and we’ll sing duets that will be heard only by those we love. I m sorry I can’t go to the funeral. I know you and Frank understand that’s difficult for us (me).
Til we meet again.
Love, Margaret Mahon
It was a great honor and opportunity to have the privilege of working with Jan when she was a teacher at Seminole Middle School and later as a guidance counselor. She always held her students in highest regard and gave her time and energy to their well-being. We will all miss her but we also have good memories of who she was.
We send our sympathy to Frank, kids and grandchildren. Jan blessed so many with her kindness, happiness in life, joy of being with others and love of the Lord! She was blessed with wonderful caregivers – her husband and childen. Jan will be missed! We know she is so happy and healthy now and pray the family is comforted in a special way.
God Bless, Don and Kathy
My greatest regret is not being able to visit Jan this past year. Not only has my husband been ill, but I have spent the last 6 weeks recuperating from a kidney infection. My memories of Jan are wonderful and humorous. I met her at Northside Christian School in 1984. In 1986 we met again when she came to Seminole Middle where I had been for a year. Jan was an excellent social studies teacher. When I went by her classroom, every student was quiet and on task. When she became the guidance counselor at SMS, she had the same high standards for the students. I didn’t have to write many administrative referrals; instead I would send any uncooperative students to Jan and she would have a “Come to Jesus Meeting” (her phrase) with them. Very few students had to return for a second meeting.
I will miss her dearly, but I know she is in the loving and healing presence of our Lord and Savior.
Am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Solava’s passing. She was a kind, sweet, beautiful lady. I am so happy I had her as a teacher at Keswick Christian School. My condolences to the family.
We will greatly miss our good friend, Jan. Our Lord is faithful to remember those who have found hope in Him alone. May God grant peace and comfort to Frank, Dana, Mike and all of the
Grandkids.
My mom and I send our sympathy to you Frank and your family. God bless you and comfort you. Diane kraujalis and Joan de Boer
Our sympathy and sincere condolences to all family members. We trust there is comfort knowing Jan is now pain-free and in a beautiful place.
While our lives on earth are not forever, the fond memories built over time are. Remember & Cherish those forever fond memories, always bringing a smile and feeling of joyful peace …
We are so sorry about your loss. Jan was a very conscientious, kind, talented, and caring person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chuck and Judy LeBoeuf
•We are so sorry about your loss. Jan was a joy to work with. She was a very kind and caring person Helping and guiding children was her biggest joy and it is without doubt she touched many lives in a positive way. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.