Marlena Solomon

Marlena C. Solomon, 52, of Tomball, Texas, formerly of Scottdale, died after a prolonged battle with cancer, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at her home, in the presence of her husband, Jeff, and children, Evan, Maia and Eli.

Marlena was born June 17, 1970, in South Vietnam. She entered the United States in February 1971 with her adoptive mother, Carol Westerman, and thereafter made her home with her mother and grandparents, Richard and Charlotte Westerman, of Scottdale, for 12 years. The following six years were spent in DeKalb, Ill., where she graduated from DeKalb High School in 1988. Subsequently, she received a degree in English at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1993. Her oldest son is from her marriage to Michael Wilson in 1992. She married Jeffrey T. Solomon in 1997. The range of Marlena's talents, interests and activities was extraordinary. She began to play piano and flute in elementary school. In high school, she acquired a box full of medals (to which she paid no attention) at various music education competitions. In time she came to focus on voice. She performed in many musicals, choirs and choral groups and was asked many times to sing at weddings. Marlena's work history includes waitress, bank teller, newspaper editor, public relations, marketing and Zumba instructor! Surprisingly, in later years, she became very successful in the marketing of commercial lubricants and traveled widely in this capacity. Her sunny disposition, smile and enthusiasm won her a host of friends everywhere. Marlena was a member of Calvin United Presbyterian Church in Scottdale.

In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her mother, Carol Westerman; sister, Paloma Westerman-Cramer, both of Scottdale; her parents-in-law, Fred and Virginia Solomon, of Turtle Creek; brothers-in-law, Fred Solomon and Douglas Cramer; sister-in-law, Susan; and their spouses and children. Aunt Marlena was especially dear to her niece, Crimson Cramer.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Remembrance Gathering on Saturday, August 6 from Noon to 2 pm at GRAFT-JACQUILLARD FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC. 303 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale where a brief meditation will follow at 2 pm.  Private interment will take place in the Scottdale Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society @ www.cancer.org.

Online condolences are welcome at www.gjfuneral.com. Face masks are respectfully requested and encouraged for the health and safety of the family.