Judith A. Solovieff
Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, teacher and friend died peacefully on May 3 at home in Vallejo, after a courageous two-year journey with cancer. She spent her last weeks cared for and surrounded by family and friends, sharing memories and gratitude.
Judy was born on the island of Kauai in 1951, the first-born child of Martin and Eleanora Manaday. She treasured her Hawaiian heritage and carried aloha spirit with her wherever she went. She graduated from Kauai High School; after earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaii in 1973, Judy relocated to San Francisco. She launched her professional life in the financial district as a secretary and office manager.
In 1977 Judy met her future husband, Nicolas Solovieff, when they both worked at St. Mary’s Hospital. They were true lovebirds from the beginning and were married in 1982 at a beautiful wedding at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ross. They were living in Marin County when their daughter, Emily was born in 1986. Nick and Judy bought a home in Vallejo shorty afterwards and planted their family’s roots. They welcomed their son, Alex in 1993. Judy was a devoted mother and homemaker, enthusiastically supporting her husband and children in their many activities.
In 1991 Judy started teaching at Vallejo Adult School. She was promoted to Vice Principal, earning her administrative credential in 2006 and completing her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Sonoma in 2009.
Judy began her next chapter in adult education in 2013 at the Pittsburg Adult Education Center. Until her health made it impossible, she served as chair of the Career Technical Education department. Judy was respected by her colleagues and appreciated by her students as a passionate advocate for student success.
She planned and participated in her Celebration of Life on April 24, attended by dozens of people in person and on Zoom. People came to say good-bye to the “Wahine Warrior” who faced her life’s challenges with a mixture of defiance, dignity, and grace.
Judy was predeceased by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Emily Solovieff (Russell Reikowsky) and their children, Charlotte, Ella, Kaylyn, and Nathan; her son, Alex Solovieff (Grace Moreno) and their son, Gabriel; her brothers, Russell and Wesley Manaday, and her sister, Allison Brown; her aunt, Juanita Umipeg; nieces; nephews; cousins; her Solovieff in-laws; and innumerable colleagues and friends from every chapter of her too short but full life.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday June 4, at Community Presbyterian Church, 2800 Georgia St., Vallejo. Hawaiian dress attire is highly encouraged. Please use the link to RSVP -https://judysmemorialservice.rsvpify.com/?securityToken=LebB7HuDqS7fO0Is0ol8JhlcDeLsYSb9Zr31Vb. In lieu of flowers, Judy’s family asks that you consider making a donation in her honor to the church where she found so much caring support on her faith journey, or to a charity of your choice.