Carol Solana

Carol Jean Solana

April 4, 1961 - October 15, 2024

Carol Jean Solana, born in Youngstown, Ohio, and a resident of Cumming, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, after her over 9-year battle with cancer. So many people love Carol. She was a fierce advocate for her family, a lover of people, cooking, and gardening, and was known for having the biggest heart and for her love of stray animals; especially her latest rescues Chota, Minion, Spock, and Q. Her creativity knew no bounds; she was an incredibly skilled cook, baker, seamstress, painter, builder, and creator. Carol was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and the proudest grandmother. She wanted to be surrounded by family in everything she did. She was kind to everyone she met and often brightened people’s days by giving scratch-off tickets to perfect strangers. People were welcomed at Carol’s home any time and always left feeling well-fed and well-loved. Her love was limitless.

Carol was an active member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. Carol’s life was guided by her deep faith in God, which sustained her throughout her life and especially her difficult and constant battle with cancer. She was a proud full-time mom and saw successes through business ownership both with her husband, Joe, and later with her sister-in-law Sue.

She was known to laugh loudly, find fun in simple moments, and loved to watch the birds and listen to music from the ‘70s. Everyone knew you could depend on Carol for support in any situation, but you also knew, for better or worse, that she would be brutally honest with you and ask thoughtful (and sometimes borderline-inappropriate) questions.

Carol's impact and legacy continue to live on through so many. She is survived by her high school sweetheart and love of her life, husband of 40 years, Joe Solana; her children, Dustin Freese, Jessica Freese, Joseph Solana, and Sarah Solana; her grandchildren, Jackson Freese and Isla Freese; her sisters, Mary Ellen Roccaforte, Debbie Fryer, Sue Brandenstein, and Beth Brandenstein; and her brothers, Bob Brandenstein, George Brandenstein, and Mark Brandenstein. Her impact also lives on with countless friends, as Carol valued her relationships with people so much and never forgot a face or name. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Dorothy Brandenstein.

Visitation will be held at McDonald and Son Funeral Home on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 5 PM to 8 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. Benedict Catholic Church with a “Hip-Hip-Hooray” party to celebrate Carol’s life immediately to follow.

Carol’s legacy of love, faith, friendship, and creativity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Carol's name to the American Cancer Association.

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/in_memory_of_carol_solana

The service will also be live streamed at the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/@stbenedict3997