Rose M. Solo

Rose Mary Solo, 90, of Kansas City, MO and formerly, a proud and longtime south Omaha girl, filled her life with her deep Catholic faith and an everlasting love for her family, friends and Italian food. She went home to heaven the morning of Thursday, October 31, the birthday of her eldest son and one day prior to All Saints Day.

Rose loved nothing more than to see her children and their spouses gathered in conversation or socializing together. She may have loved her three granddaughters even more, providing each with endearing nicknames and showering them over the years with heartfelt letters, gifts, appreciation for their talents and her undivided devotion. Her St. John Francis Regis Church family also meant the world to her. Rose served as a nearly daily volunteer at her parish for more than 40 years.

A defining interest in her life was sports. The good Lord saw fit to allow Rose an evening of watching the Nationals win the World Series before she fell asleep forever. Rose was an exceptional athlete, playing basketball in a Women’s AAU national tournament, bowling a 705 series at her peak, and playing recreational volleyball well into her late 50s. She remarked: “They elbow each other about who the old lady is, until I spike a few. Then, I get respect.”

Rose’s husband, Donald, passed away 46 years ago at the age of 46. Rose personified perseverance as she continued to raise her family alone and lived independently in her own home until this past spring.

Rose was always true to herself, content with simple pleasures in life and making Italian dishes such as “zoo-goo,” “basta with pig’s feet,” “good-A-rooni,” or fried eggplant and her entreaties for her family to “Manga, manga!”

Rose was born to parents Alfio and Nunziata Franco in Omaha on May 20, 1929. She wed Donald Octavio Solo, Sr. on June 18, 1949 and they were blessed with four children. Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; and her brothers: Samuel Franco in World War II and Tony Franco as well as sisters: Paula Gentile, Josie Spicka and Susie Conti.

Left to cherish her memory and affectionately remember her favorite recipes and Rose-style expressions are her sons Donald Octavio Solo, Jr., Ely, NV; Michael (Kathe) Solo, Osawatomie, KS; James (Lore) Solo, Clive, IA; daughter Lynnette (Dean) Robertson, Pleasant Hill, MO as well as her granddaughters Jessica (Chris) Sossamon; Emily (Adam) Solo Tell; and Michaela (Jacob) Kelly.

A rosary will be recited at 9 am followed by visitation at 9:30am - 11am, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at St. John Francis Regis Church, 8941 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64138. Memorial Mass will begin following visitation. Committal will take place 11am, Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions in Rose’s name may be made to St. John Francis Regis Church. Flowers may be sent directly to St. John Francis Regis Church.

A rosary will be recited at 9 am followed by visitation at 9:30am – 11am, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at St. John Francis Regis Church, 8941 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, MO, 64138. Memorial Mass will begin following visitation. Committal will take place 11am, Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions in Rose’s name may be made to St. John Francis Regis Church.