Mary Leon Solomon

With heavy hearts we say goodbye to our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Mary Leon Solomon of West Homestead, PA, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the age of 93.

Arrangements are in the care of George Irvin Green Funeral Home, Munhall, PA, where visitation will take place on December 27 from 1:30-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:30 pm. The funeral service will take place on December 28 at 11:00 am at Homestead United Presbyterian Church (908 Ann Street, at the corner of 9^th & Ann).

Born in Canonsburg, PA on January 17, 1930 to Syrian immigrants, Mary was the youngest of four children of Michael and Afifi Leon, who immigrated to America through Ellis Island from the small village of Hab Namra in northwest Syria. As the youngest-born, Mary was known affectionately by the Leon family as “Aunt Babe.”

Upon graduating as Salutatorian of Canonsburg High School’s Class of 1947, Mary decided to forego a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh to support her parents, while working at the Pennsylvania Transformer company in Canonsburg.

On October 17, 1953, Mary Leon married Michael Solomon, also of Canonsburg, who had already begun his career with Mellon Bank. The couple lived in Claysville, PA, until Mike’s career took them to Munhall, and then in 1965 to West Homestead, where they settled, raised four children (and two family dogs), and remained active participants in the Steel Valley community for six decades.

During the early 1980s Mary returned to the workforce, working in the Office of the President of Chatham College (now Chatham University). While there, she studied Communication, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 1993, at age 63.

Mary was the first published author in her family, with the 1998 publication of the book “Legacy to a Mill Town: Carnegie Library of Homestead.” Her book is in circulation at the Carnegie Library of Homestead, other Pittsburgh-area libraries, the University of Pittsburgh’s library, and the Pennsylvania State Library in Harrisburg, PA.

Mary was a singer throughout her life, singing in church choirs. She loved the music of Perry Como, as well as The Four Coins, all natives of Canonsburg. In addition to being a singer, Mary was also a cook and baker, most famously known for her Syrian cooking, especially Syrian bread.

Mary and Mike remained in West Homestead, even as Mike’s career took him to areas outside of Homestead. A faithful member of the Homestead United Presbyterian Church since moving to the Steel Valley in 1959, Mary served the church community as a member of the choir and active participant in both church and local arts initiatives. Along with her husband, Mary served the Steel Valley Arts Council (SVAC), the Mon Valley Initiative (MVI), and the Homestead Economic Revitalization Corporation (HERC). Mary was the recipient of the 2001 Dominion VITA award (Volunteer in The Arts), representing the Steel Valley Arts Council.

Always a wordsmith, Mary was an expert speller, and an expert player of the Daily Jumble in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She never ceased to amaze with her playful humor and clever comebacks. Mary was a rare individual, with an always-ready smile, who became more youthful with age.

Most important to Mary were her family and her Middle Eastern background. She traveled to Syria with her husband Mike and daughter Mary Beth in 1997, when she visited the village where her parents came from. Cherished by family, church, and community, Mary was predeceased by her husband Mike, parents Afifi and Michael Leon, two sisters, Kathryn (Cavasinni) and Elizabeth (Baisley), and a brother, Isaac Leon.

Mary will be deeply missed and remembered lovingly by all who knew her.  She is survived by her four children:  Timothy of Meadville, PA; Amy Solomon Leopold of California; Mary Beth (David B Wilson) of New Jersey; and Michael (Maureen McKenna Solomon) of California, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to being a devoted mother to her children, Mary took joy and delight in her four grandchildren:  Rachel Solomon of Rochester, NY, David Solomon (Lauren) of Beaver Falls, PA, Eva Solomon Thomas (Jeremy) of Erie, PA, and Michael Solomon Leopold, of Thousand Oaks, CA. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Leon Barrett Solomon, of Beaver Falls, PA.

Memorial donations may be made to Homestead United Presbyterian Church (http://www.homesteadupc.org/) and the Carnegie Library of Homestead (https://carnegieofhomestead.com/donate/).