Margaret Reid-Soldenski

Margaret Reid-Soldenski

June 15, 1920 – March 8, 2018

On March 8th 2018 Margaret Soldenski passed away peacefully in her sleep at the French Manor Assisted Living home on LaFranier Road in Traverse City, Michigan.  She spent her last days surrounded by her son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and an outstanding group of caregivers.  She was 97 years old.

Marge was born in Detroit June 15, 1920; the only daughter of Louis T. Jankowski and Frances Jankowski.   She grew up in Detroit, went to Sweetest Heart of Mary Grade School and then to St. Anthony High School.   She had one younger brother, James, who preceded her in death.   In 1941 she married Stewart Reid who came to the United States in the 1930s with his family from Scotland.  They had one child, Timothy Stewart Reid, who lives in Traverse City.  Her first husband Stewart died while in the service of his country in early 1945.  He was in the U.S. Army Air Corps and died in the crash of his B-29 bomber near Guam.

Marge married Theodore L. Soldenski in 1949, and they were married for almost 60 years.  Ted passed away February 22, 2008.  Ted was born and raised in Grand Marais, Michigan a small village on Lake Superior.  In the late 1920s he left the U.P. for Detroit to work in the auto factories.  After an early retirement from Dodge Motors, Marge and Ted moved to Grand Marais and became part of rural village living there for almost 40 years. They lived in a small home on Grand Marais Harbor across the street from Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  Many people will remember their pink colored home and Ted or Marge or both sitting on the front porch.  Those years were most cherished by the couple and they dearly loved the family like relationship with the entire population of this small town.  Marge was involved with many activities in Grand Marais.  She was the church secretary for some years, working with father Jim Williams.  She enjoyed an active social life.   There were “Thirsty Thursdays”, regular trips with Ted and her friends and neighbors to the casinos and shopping in Marquette and Escanaba.

Marge is survived by her son Tim Reid and his wife Karen Edwards and her grandchildren Sally Soffredine, Douglas Stewart Reid, and Emily O’Hearn along with twelve great-grandchildren, all of Traverse City.     Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Holy Rosary Church on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m..  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Holy Rosary Catholic Church   PO Box 424, Grand Marais, MI 49839.