Marie Elizabeth (Solan) McLean

Marie Elizabeth (Solan) McLean born to Rita (Reardon) and Anthony Solan on November 3, 1950, in Anaconda, MT, passed away on October 19, 2021, under the care of the University of Utah Medical Center of idiopathic pneumonia. She was surrounded by her daughters, husband and brother Tony.  She was comforted throughout by the prayers and concerns of her families and large network of friends.

Marie’s interests centered on her grandchildren, home, church and the comfort of the elderly and compassion for the less fortunate.  She volunteered her service to her church, food bank, Garden Club and St. Timothy’s Chapel Foundation.  She enjoyed dancing with her husband, learning line dance, beating her husband at cribbage, going to bingo with friends and family, gardening, making homemade soups and celebrating all events regarding her family. Marie never spoke harshly of anyone except for Donald Trump. She tolerated all her husband’s endless stories regarding his golf rounds and abhorred her husband reading things to her that she could read for herself.

Marie started working at a young age in her family’s store, Solan’s Grocery, in Opportunity.  Throughout her life she held a variety of positions: sales secretary at Roach and Smith’s; courtesy counter at Buttrey Foods in her early married years; Jack Corrigan’s CPA and on to the Anaconda Job Corps Center as an administrative office assistant retiring in 2012.  In her retired years, Marie volunteered at the local Food Bank and worked part time at the Anaconda Community Hospital as a screener.

Marie is survived by her husband of 49 years, Arthur “Sparkey” McLean, daughters: Amy (Garrett) Stops at Pretty Places and their children:  Garren Arthur, Traelik Anthony and Roman Aricin.    Angela (Shawn) Zobrak, and their children: Taylor Marie, Grant Michael, Emily Grace and Max Frederick. Sisters: Judy (Ted) Minnehan, Charlotte Slaughter and Virginia Shirley Nicholas. Brothers: Tony Solan, Tom Solan, Pat (Jane) Solan, Jim (Julie) Solan. Sisters-in-law: Susan Solan-Lanes, Connie (Ron) Glovan, Karen (Ace) Brown, Andrea (Shirley) Daniels, Miriam (Kyle) Kroschel. Brothers-in-law: Dan (Marcie) McLean and Paul (Sheila) McLean. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who were more like siblings also survive.

Marie is preceded in death by parents, Anthony “Dober” and Rita Reardon Solan, brother Eddie Joe Solan, parents-in-law Jim and Norma McLean, cousin Betty Rae Feldman and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Anaconda Catholic Community, Hearst Free Library, St. Labre Indian School, Anaconda Food Bank or the donor’s choice. Marie’s services at Holy Family Catholic Church include a vigil service on Friday, Oct. 29 with visitation beginning at 5:30 pm with Rosary at 6:30 pm. The Celebration of Life Mass on Saturday, Oct. 30 begins at 10:30 am.  Peace be with you.