Virginia Lee Sollami

Herrin- Virginia Lee Sollami, 95, of Herrin, passed away peacefully at 3:21 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at Herrin Hospital.
Virginia was born on July 26, 1930 in West Frankfort to Clyde and Clara (Ditterline) Calvert. Virginia grew up during a time that demanded strength and heart in equal measure. Those early years shaped her into the resilient, steady, and deeply compassionate woman she became, a woman who met every hardship with grace and every joy with gratitude.
She married Joseph J. Sollami on October 27, 1951 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Rectory in Herrin. Their remarkable marriage, which spanned more than 73 years until his passing January 7th, 2025, was a testament to faith, devotion, and unwavering partnership.
She worked several years as a retail clerk at P.N. Hirsh in Herrin and Grandpa Johns between West Frankfort and Johnston City. Yet, her greatest calling was caring for her family. Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and later great-grandmother brought her the deepest sense of purpose and pride. Her kitchen was the heart of the home filled with traditions, home-cooked meals, laughter, and stories that stitched generations together.
A devout Catholic and long-time member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and the Catholic Women's Club, Virginia found daily strength in her faith and family. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, baking, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals. She loved having visitors and being surrounded by all who loved her. She was known for her sweet nature, gentle humor, and the quiet resilience that carried her through life's hardest seasons with grace.
Survivors include her daughters- Antonette "Toni" (Robert) Foster of Herrin and Lisa Masters of Herrin; son/grandson- Jeremy Lee Sollami; grandchildren- Beth Foster Preston, Brian Preston, Joseph (Sara) Foster, Ashli (Trevor) Benton, Marissa Mares and Brandon, Kelly and Christy Sollami; great grandchildren- Joseph, Mia, Dominik, Lilyana, Ryleigh, Jenna, and Dirk; brothers in law- Phillip Sollami of Herrin and Jim Sollami of Herrin; several nieces and one nephew; beloved caregiver Kathy and special friends- Joan Estes and E.J. Bonner.
Virginia's family and friends will remember her as the soft place to land, the one who prayed for everyone, asked for nothing, and loved without conditions. She was love in human form and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, father in law and mother in law- Phillip and Antonette Sollami, son- Michael Ray Sollami and siblings- Dorothy Bagley, June Rennie, Billy and Roy Calvert and Shirley Smith.
A memorial mass will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 24, 2025at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin. Fr. Mark Reyling will officiate. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until time of service, Friday, October 24, 2025, in the gathering room of the church. Inurnment will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin. Memorial arrangements were entrusted to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home in Herrin.
Memorial donations are suggested to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and will be accepted at the church or may be mailed to McCluskie-Miller Funeral Home/ 501 South 12th/ Herrin, IL 62948. For more information please visit www.mccluskiemillerfh.com or call (618) 942-2020.
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