Phyllis Hoover Solley, 78, of Centre Hall, went home to be with her Lord, Sunday, November 11, 2012, at the Fairways at Brookline Village, in State College.
She was born November 29, 1933 in Bellefonte, a daughter of the late J. Clair and Pauline Elizabeth Jodon Hoover.
She was married to G. Edward Waite December 16, 1951 who preceded her in death. On June 21, 1980, she married Paul M. Solley who survives at home.
Phyllis was a 1951 graduate of Centre Hall Potter High School. She was employed in retail stores for several years, having worked at W. T. Grants in Lewistown and at the Robert Hall store near State College. She went to work for Jostens in State College in 1975 and worked there until her retirement in 1983.
Mrs. Solley was a member of the State College Alliance Church where she was active in several woman’s bible studies and the Sunday School program. She was also a member of a snowmobile club.
A person of varied skills, talents, and interests; she enjoyed playing the organ, water color painting, bird watching and feeding, and was an exceptionally gifted cook and baker, with pies being her specialty at family events.
Surviving Mrs. Solley in addition to her husband, are three daughters, Karen J. Vanderpool and her husband Richard of Bloomsburg, Kim E. Gross and her husband Timothy of Bowie, MD, and Karla L. Deasy and her husband Dana Scott of London, England; seven grandchildren, Kristen Kameen, Kathryn Harlan, Kyle Vanderpool, Nathan Gross, Adam Gross, and Rachel and Christopher Held; 10 great grandchildren; a stepson M. David Solley and his wife Shawn of Morgantown, WV; two step grandchildren, Cameron and Justin Solley; and two sisters in law Diane M. Hoover and Jane Waite Stover. Also surviving is her favorite cat Susie.
In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in death by a brother Alvin “Bud” Hoover.
Friends will be received from 6 – 8 p. m. Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a. m. Thursday, November 15, 2012 at the funeral home with the Reverend Aaron Henning officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Cemetery, Zion.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 3544 N. Progress Ave. Ste. 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638 or to State College Alliance Church, 1221 West Whitehall Road, State College, PA 16803. A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com