Holden – Doctor Louise N. Soldani, 79, formerly of Marlborough, died Tuesday June 14, 2011, surrounded by her loving family, at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester.
She leaves her sisters, Cecilia H. Mainville of Rochester, N.H., and Anita Phillips of Westborough, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late James S. Soldani, Ambrose J. Soldani and Anna Carra.
Born in Marlborough, daughter of the late Virgil and Annunziata (Santospirito) Soldani, she had lived in Holden for over 25 years. She was a graduate of the former St. Ann Academy of Marlborough, a graduate of Anna Maria College with a BA in English, and received her Master's Degree in English Literature from Boston College and her Ph. Degree in Modern British Literature from, the University of Notre Dame.
Dr. Soldani was associated for over 45 years with Anna Maria College starting as an Assistant Professor in 1961. In 1967 she became an Associate Professor and, in 1974, became a Full Professor. During this time period, she was Chair of the English Department from 1972-1977 and again in 1987-1997. She was also the Registrar of the College from 1969-1972 and became Acting Dean of Anna Maria College in 1977 and became permanent Dean of Anna Maria College in 1978 until 1985. Since 1986, she was a full-time faculty member in the English Department until her retirement in 2002.
During her time at Anna Maria College, she had served as advisor to Student Academic Affairs Committee, had reviewed letters of application to graduate schools, was elected to the Grievance Committee of College Assembly and to the Admissions Committee of College Assembly, participated in the June Orientation Program for parents, initiated Honors Project Seminar for Seniors Success, and was a Liberal Arts Faculty member on the Thesis Committee, Nursing Department. She was also member of study committee of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, wrote two Honorary Degree Citations in 1991 and was a member of Academic Orientation Planning Committee for 1991. In addition, she served as editor of Nursing Department Accreditation Report and many other Committees.
She was a member of College English Association, Conference on Christianity and Literature, National Council of Teachers of English and Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, as well as a regular book reviewer for Christianity and Literature and a member of the Parish Council of St. Georges Church of Worcester, in charge of the World Responsibility Fund. She was the Recipient of the Anna Maria College Outstanding Alumni Award in 1997 and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Worcester.
Funeral services will be held Monday June 20, at 10 a.m., the from John P. Rowe Funeral Home Inc., 57 Main St., Marlborough, with Mass at 11 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday June 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Food For The Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd., P.0. Box 979004, Coconut Creek, EL 33097.
