Cecelia Solich

Cecelia Solich, age 93, died peacefully at the home of her daughter Friday, Dec 30, 2011. She suffered no illness but only the hardship of old age and died of natural causes.A memorial mass will be at the Cathedral of St. Helena at 10am Monday, January 9, 2012 with a reception following. Schnider Funeral Home is handling local arrangementsCecelia was born on January 31, 1918 in Butte, the first child of John and Stella Mueller. The family lived in Laurin, Mt and it was here that Cecelia spent her childhood with her brothers Laurin and Kermit.She graduated from Sheridan High School as valedictorian and received a scholarship to the University of Montana. Cecelia then attended the University where one of her professors was the late senator Mike Mansfield. She graduated from the School of Pharmacy in June 1941 as one of the very few first women in pharmacy.Cecelia did her internship in the spring of 1941 at Bi-Rite Drug in Kalispell, Mt. She then took her first job as a registered pharmacist at Alaska Drug and Jewelry in Sitka, Alaska in the summer of 1941. After she returned to Montana she continued to work in Plains, Mt. In August 1942 Cecelia married the love of her life, Matt Solich Jr. and they remained together in love and commitment for 63 years until his passing. Shortly after they were married, Matt joined the Coast Guard and during this time Cecelia was employed at Walgreens in Louisville, Kentucky. When they returned to Montana Cecelia worked in West Yellowstone while Matt worked as a tour-bus driver in Yellowstone park. When they moved back to Helena, Cecelia began working at Langen Drug on Last Chance Gulch which later became Saveway Drug. She worked at Saveway Drug many years until it closed and she then began working at the Veterans Administration in Helena. She retired from the VA after 20 years to take care of her ailing mother.Cecelia was a strong woman who believed in God. Church was very important in her life. She loved her family and her children unconditionally. Cecelia loved to travel. Many summers were spent boating at Lakeside on Hauser Lake when the family was young. The family slept in the cabin of the boat so the entire weekend was spent on the lake. Cecelia loved camping and traveling with Matt in the motor home. She loved spending time with family and staying in her little cabin at Fletcher Acres. She loved campfires and roasting marshmallows. But above all the things she loved to do, she loved to fish. Fishing was the most wonderful. Fishing was the ultimate.After the trials and hardships of raising a family, in her old age, her inner nature of simple happiness shown thru. She truly was a sweet and gentle person just like her mother had been, with no regrets, bad feelings, or misgivings toward anyone. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her and loved her.Cecelia is survived by her son Bill (Miley) Solich of Helena; daughters Carol (Roger) Novotne of Helena, Susan ( Loren) Bolton of Great Falls; five grandchildren; one great grandchild and a brother Kermit Mueller of Helena.Cecelia was preceded in death by her beloved husband Matt; parents John and Stella Mueller; a brother Laurin Mueller, a grandson Anthony Solich and an infant daughter Sonia Marie Solich.