Sister Joanne Solari, CSJ 

(Sister Francis Anne)

We Remember her in the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring.

September 20, 1936 – April 25, 2025

In the 69th year of her Religious Life. Entered: September 8, 1956

There is a time for everything! There is a season for peace. How appropriate the first reading Sister Joanne Solari chose for today’s liturgy!

For her, there was a time to teach and a time to lead a school, a time to walk and a time to cook, a time to pray and a time to be quiet, a time to enjoy family, and a time to reenergize with friends! In addition, we would all agree that peace was very much a part of Sister Joanne’s life.   

Joanne Madeline Solari was born in Arlington on September 20, 1936, the youngest child and only daughter of Frank and Anna Solari. Life was not always easy for this faith-filled Italian family. One of Joanne’s brothers died at birth and her mother died when she was twelve. After Joanne graduated from Arlington High School, she attended Mansfield Beauty Academy, following the career choice of her brother, Donald. Instead of continuing along this path, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1956, receiving her habit and the religious name, Sister Francis Anne, on St. Joseph Day in 1957.   

Education was a focal point in Sister Joanne’s life. Her early teaching experiences were with young children in Grades 2-4. While teaching at St. John’s in Swampscott, she studied at Salem State to receive her master’s degree in education and reading. Her principal there, Sister Anne Gavin, become her very dear friend. She met Sister Rose deLourdes, and their friendship spanned the next 45 years. They worked, prayed, vacationed, and lived together in Somerville, Arlington, and finally at the Motherhouse.  

Joanne loved school and loved the children and the teachers with whom she worked. Her wonderful teaching skills were noted by several of the teachers at St. John’s, who described her dedication, along with her organizational and interpersonal skills as exceptional. She was also known for her love for the children and their families. Above everything else, her colleagues stressed her great leadership qualities. Sister Joanne served as the principal in St. John’s School in the North End and St. Benedict’s School in Somerville. She worked at St. Joseph’s, Medford, St. Clement’s Somerville, St. Angela’s Mattapan. She taught in the classroom and worked as a reading and computer teacher.   

Joanne’s family was so very important to her. Her brother Jay lived on the Cape and she was a frequent visitor to his home in earlier days — but also when his health required extra assistance. Joanne generously gave of her time to assist the family, caring for him. She celebrated so many special family occasions and holidays and had the opportunity to enjoy vacation days and weeks with her family. They treasured these times together. Having lived in Swampscott for so many years, Revere Beach was a special place – with lunch at Kelly’s. Joanne enjoyed rides to Revere Beach, times as Cape Cod, and of course a few trips to Florida to visit her niece, Nancy, and her partner Steve. We might note that these family visits were also opportunities to spend time with the dog, Peaches. I’m not sure if she went to visit her family in order to see them — or to see Peaches!   

Sister Joanne lived her life in a very caring, thoughtful, and peaceful manner. She shared her gifts generously — but quietly — with anyone who had a need.  She loved to visit at Bethany and never went empty handed, but most importantly, she brought her presence into the lives of many of the residents of Bethany. Everyone knew of Joanne’s cooking and baking talents, and thoroughly enjoyed them, and some benefited from her hairdressing skills. While here at the Motherhouse, she was a great driver. Always ready to lend a helping hand or ride, she would drive anyone, anywhere – to shop, to go to the bank or to a doctor’s appointment.  In addition, we all know what a great walker she was, both here and when she moved to Framingham.   

Our Gospel Reading invites us not to be troubled, but to know that God is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Therefore, today, we thank Joanne because when God called her at the end, so very quickly, she was not troubled.  She responded to her God whom she knew was, her Way, her Truth and her Life.  Thank you, Joanne, for the peace-filled life that you shared with your family, your Congregation and all who shared life with you.

Given by Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ

May 8, 2025