Mary Edith (Pumphrey) Solomon, known as “Edie”, passed away on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.
Edie was born in Boulder, Colo., on Oct. 18, 1925. In 1927 the family moved to a farm outside of Lyman. As a young girl, Edith helped on the family farm taking care of the chickens, sheep, hogs and helping to cook for the migrant farmers who harvested the farms sugar beets. Edie was involved in music, speech and drama during her high school years. She was active in 4-H and was a public speaking winner.
At the age of 16 she entered college at the University of Nebraska. During her college years Edie was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Phi Beta Kappa, and Mortar Board. She received a full ride scholarship for all 4 years at UNL and graduated with highest honors. She was president of the UNL Student Council and was well known throughout the campus for her sensible, compassionate, and pragmatic leadership. She met Eugene “Gene” Solomon, a WWII veteran, during her senior year of college and they were married in 1947. Gene had several Nebraska assignments working for the Soil Conservation Service before settling in Blair in 1960.
Edie started her teaching career when all four children were school age. She taught home economics and science for two years in Herman and then 34 years teaching home economics at Blair High School. She taught Sunday school for 40 years, was an Active PEO member and 4-H leader. After “retirement”, Edie volunteered at the Blair Elementary, Otte Middle School and Blair High School, assisting in the library and home economic classes and making costumes for the school musicals. Edie received numerous awards and recognitions for her years as a teacher and volunteer. Her enthusiasm, humor and love of teaching helped to guide hundreds of students in a positive direction. The hundreds of comments and eulogies to Edie on the Blair Alumni Facebook page described her as kind, compassionate, patient, caring, fun, loving, sweet, generous, humble, a true treasure, vivacious, gracious, and one-of- a- kind. Numerous camping vacations in the Snowy Range, wonderful summers at the family cabin, playing cards and games with her children’s friends were always filled with love, laughter and great food. She was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by countless friends, students, and family.
Edie is survived by her four children and spouses: Cliff Solomon (Pam Gates), Carol Solomon-Smith (Rex Everett), Carrie Solomon-Schultz (Daniel Schultz), Christine Solomon (Charles Hineline); grandsons Ryan Smith (Michaela) and their children Asher, William and Adeline and Craig Smith; granddaughters Carissa Schultz (Kirk Morales) and their children Arlo and Roman, and Katrina Schultz-Baldwin (Anthony Baldwin) and their daughter, Vienna; Gene’s remaining brother, James Solomon. She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Mabel (Metcalf) Pumphrey and her brothers Walter, Dwight, Vance and Paul.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Blair First United Methodist Church. A private family burial will be held at the Blair Cemetery. Livestreaming will be available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuehkOyrZGFBrg8F3LCSEGg or on the churches Facebook page.
Memorials may be directed to Blair Community Schools Foundation/Solomon Scholarship or Blair First United Methodist Church.
