Obituary of Joyce D. Solak

Olean, NY Joyce Dora Meyer Solak, 93, a former longtime resident of Allegany, passed away Tuesday (December 19, 2023) at The Pines of Olean where she had resided since 2021. Born October 17, 1930 in Water Valley, she was one of 4 children born to Clarence Frederick and Grace Louise Ahrens Meyer. On June 30, 1956 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Colden she married “the love of her life”, Richard J. “Dick” Solak, Sr. who had met one another on the school bus as kids and whom she had been high school sweethearts with. During their long life as a loving couple, they raised 4 children, showed their caring nature on the working world, and defined to one another that marriage and children is what gave their life special meaning. He predeceased her on March 10, 2018. Joyce graduated from Springville High School and graduated from Alfred University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her parents and siblings were proud that she was the first and only child in her family to attend college. Her first job was as a private duty nurse in Miami, FL. She then was employed as a registered nurse at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo after she returned to New York, and later at the Bertram Chaffee Hospital in Springville. She retired after many years of working for the former Allegany Nursing Home in Allegany. Joyce received much joy in gardening which she enjoyed her entire life. She was an excellent seamstress and loved cooking and painting. She and Dick loved to travel the United States, and outside the country as well, including a month-long visit to Australia. She leaves behind 4 children, Rick Solak, Jr., Jeannine (Marc) Rouleau, Carolynne (Gerard) leFeber, and Mark (Cindy) Solak; 17 grandchildren Josh (Ashley), Jackie (JR), Jacob, Davis (Sierra), Josiah (Alyson), Charlotte, Rick (Jamie), Kathleen (Matt), Tom (Natalie), Colden (Awn), Daniel (Carla), Caleb, Noah (Anu), Grace, Aaron (Dee), Shawn (Steph), and Nick (Kate); 14 great grandchildren; Harrison, Paisley, Harper, Paxton, Everley, Deacon, Archer, Leon, Jade, Mason, Cooper, Clay, Tucker, and Kyrie; a sister-in-law Marie Meyer, and many, many loving nieces and nephews. She was looking forward to the upcoming birth of her twin great grandchildren. In addition to her husband Dick, she was predeceased by 3 brothers, Clarence “Bud” Meyer, her twin Milton “Doc” Meyer, and Robert “Bob” Meyer. No formal services are being held at this time. Family and friends will be invited to a memorial gathering in Colden at a date and place to be announced in Spring or Summer of 2024. At that time, the burial of both she and Dick will be in the Colden Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 36 N. 4th St., Allegany, NY 14706, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.