"Deepest sympathy to the Solly family. Mrs. Solly was a big part of my CHHSE years. I was just remembering my 70s high school choir director (A Capella Choir, Belles of East, and Madrigal Singers) and how bold she was to take Belles and Madrigals to Ceaucescu's communist Romania in the summer of '75. Mrs. Solly truly left her mark on her students, as I sang in her choirs with no fewer than three other commentors on this site: dear classmates Linda Micale Kemp, Debbie Drazga Curylo and John Sinclair. Mrs. Solly was an imaginative and inspiring teacher who gave her students many opportunities to shine. Rest peacefully in His arms, Mrs. Solly. May "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.""
In loving memory of
Barbara J. Solly
November 26, 1937 - February 3, 2021
Barbara Joy Solly, on February 3 2021, of Williamstown. Age 83.
Beloved wife of the late Robert. Loving mother of Amy Engelhart (Andy), and stepsons Chuck (B.J.) and Michael (Jane). Devoted grandmother of Angela Solly, Peter Solly (Joan), Dan Engelhart and Jake Engelhart. Great grandmother of Juliet Solly.
Barbara grew up on a small farm in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Her love of music and learning led her to obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Westminster Choir College and a Doctorate Degree in Education from Temple University. After teaching in several school districts, Barbara began teaching music in the Cherry Hill School District in the mid-1970s. She eventually became the department chair of fine arts at Cherry Hill High School East and the founder and first director of the "Belles of East". She became the Cherry Hill District Director of Music before retiring in the late 1980s.
After retiring, Barbara spent the next five years teaching education at Rutgers College of Arts and Sciences in Camden. Barbara was an avid church goer her entire life and volunteered in many outreach programs including Gilda's Club, The Cathedral Kitchen, Camden, various prison ministries and Sister Jean's Kitchen, Atlantic City. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Haddonfield. Barbara was a long-time volunteer of the Music Theater of Abington, raising money for scholarships and was certified in healing touch, traveling monthly to Shore Memorial Hospital to help bring comfort to the patients.
There will be a visitation from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.
Memorial service 11am Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Runnemede.
A recording of Barbara's service may be viewed by visiting the link below:
https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/32256019
Interment private at the request of the family.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity.
Tributes
"Deepest sympathy to the Solly family. Mrs. Solly was a big part of my CHHSE years. I was just remembering my 70s high school choir director (A Capella Choir, Belles of East, and Madrigal Singers) and how bold she was to take Belles and Madrigals to Ceaucescu's communist Romania in the summer of '75. Mrs. Solly truly left her mark on her students, as I sang in her choirs with no fewer than three other commentors on this site: dear classmates Linda Micale Kemp, Debbie Drazga Curylo and John Sinclair. Mrs. Solly was an imaginative and inspiring teacher who gave her students many opportunities to shine. Rest peacefully in His arms, Mrs. Solly. May "flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.""
"To the Solly family, I am so very sorry for your loss. This morning I was just thinking of Mrs. Solly, our wonderful choir director and Belles director when I was a student at CHHSE in the 1970s. For some reason today I was reflecting on the music she selected for our 1976 graduation: Choose Something Like a Star, based on the beautiful poem by Robert Frost. Mrs. Solly was a caring and positive influence in our lives and I am blessed to have known her. May the Lord comfort your family knowing she is at rest with Him. "
"Barbara was a wonderful neighbor who loved feeding the many birds here in our back yards. Her arrangement of bird feeders was the envy of the neighborhood, resembling a bird resort! No matter the weather, Barbara found a way through rain and snow to feed her beloved wild birds. We'll miss seeing her carrying the seeds out to the feeders every day. Bob and Jean Bussell"
"Aunt Barb always remembered, loved, brought beauty, joy and was the epitome of caring for her husband and her family. We can only aspire to be like her. The world is a better place because of Aunt Barb. No words adequately express my feelings for her. Love Gail and Mark Hoover"
"Filled with heart-filled sorrow to learn of Barbara's recent passing. Barbara was kind and had a generous spirit. I thought about her often over the last year despite the fact that our erstwhile occasional in-person contacts for lunch or movie dates came to an abrupt end owing to COVID. Several times during the course of a year,we would run into each other shopping at the local Shoprite or chat on the phone to "catch up" and exchange notes about our four-legged loves: her Lilly and my Karma. I first became acquainted with Barbara about seven or eight years ago at a Tai Chi training class at the Virtua Fitness Center in Washington Twp. Years later our mutual interest in being and staying healthy would bring us together again to practice chair yoga at the Monroe Twp Library. My particular enjoyment and fun-filled memories of Barbara was during our newly established tradition of once a year getting together with other friends to celebrate my birthday by way of a delightful English tea party. Barbara will surely be missed by those whose lives she touched. Prayers of comfort and condolence go out to her family and loved ones. Barbara O'Garrow "
"As a 1982 graduate of Cherry Hill East, I was saddened to hear about Barbara Solly?s passing. Barbara Solly insisted in excellence, to raise the bar. She enforced that good was not good enough. I do believe that that helped shape me as a musician and person, and I?m sure helped shape some of my classmates in their endeavors. I thank her and all involved in that program. As a symphony musician in Baltimore, I am grateful that that insistence of excellence entered my life at such an important age. My condolences to her family."
"My sympathy to Amy and Andy and family on Barbara's passing. Barbara's father, Gordon Sheddy, and my father were 1st cousins. Since my father's passing in 2001, I spent some holidays with Barbara, Amy & Andy and family which I enjoyed. May Barbara rest in peace, "
"Barbara Sally was not only a great supervisor when I first started in Cherry Hill East, but she was also the "hostess with the mostes" . Her Christmas parties were legendary. My sincere condolences to the family. I will cherish the memories of Barbara Solly."
"Barbara was dear relative my Aunt married to my Uncle Bob. She was also a dear friend. During the end of my Mother's life and Uncle Bob's life we talked weekly to comfort and listen during the difficult times of caregiving. She gave my Uncle such wonderful care during his life with her, thank you for that. We laughed and cried together offering support to each other. She has always been a bright light. I am so grateful she was with her wonderful daughter Amy and her family in her final days. The warmth and compassion I am sure made her comfortable. I am so blessed to have had her in my life. Love to her family and friends she will surely be missed. Heidi George"
"Barbara Solly was a dedicated teacher who helped inspire me to become a music teacher as well. She created many opportunities to shine for those of us who were fortunate enough to be her students. Grace, strength and solace I wish you, her family."
"It is no exaggeration for me to say that Barbara Solly was the teacher who had the greatest impact on my life, in a field of many. I was in her choirs at CHHSE from 1973 to 1977, and that experience transformed my life: introducing and deepening my love for choral music, discipline, rigor, leadership, and every tool to serve the music. I traveled to Romania with her in 1975, and my memory of her is rich and cherished. I am part of a community on Facebook from my high school days and Mrs. Solly?s name is still spoken with reverence and awe. Rest easy, beloved teacher: you made an impact far greater than you possibly knew. Your memory is a blessing. John Sinclair, CHHSE ?77"