Dorothy Jean Solick

Dorothy Jean “Dot” Solick, 73, died peacefully in her sleep on February 2, 2025, at her home in Dewey, Arizona.

 Dot was the youngest of 8 children. She was preceded in death by her mother, Agnes, and her father, Frances Solick of Latrobe, Pennsylvania; as well as her sister, Marge "Margie" Marlett. Dot is survived by her son, Michael; sisters, Sara Poole, Verena Timm, and Frances "Skip" Harr; as well as her brothers, James and Bernard of Latrobe.

 Dot graduated from Greater Latrobe Senior High School in 1969. She attended 2 years at Edinboro State College before enlisting in the US Women's Army Corp in August of 1971.

 While in the Army, she received a full scholarship to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) in Washington, D.C. She graduated from WRAIN and was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in April of 1977. During her 10 years in the Army Nurse Corps, she had multiple state-side assignments and practiced nursing primarily in intensive care. In 1980, she transferred to the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and was assigned to Alaska. She considered this her dream assignment. From 1980-1995, Dot held several positions at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. During her time in uniform, she was awarded with early promotions, advanced educational opportunities, and scholarships. In 1989, she was presented the National Registered Nurse of the Year by the Indian Health Service.

 She retired from the USPHS in 1992 and moved to Ashland, Oregon. For 7 years she worked for the American Red Cross North-West Blood Collections Unit. She left the ARC and moved to New Mexico where she developed and taught a pre-nursing course to Navajo high school students. The program created a credentialed pathway for young, isolated Navajo students to enter the nursing profession. When asked, she would state that working on a Navajo reservation was the most rewarding position she ever had. While an adjunct Associate Professor at E.& W. New Mexico University and Boise State University. She was responsible for program development and implementation of pathway nursing courses for BSN bound students.

 The Call of the Wild captivated Dot. For 15 years in Alaska, she was able to study and immerse herself in the many Alaskan Native cultures. She loved to work with and learn about indigenous peoples and their culture. While trekking in Nepal with a local nurse, they assessed and provided treatment in the most remote huts in the Himalayan foothills. The Nepalese seemed to always have a sincere and permanent smile. She said that what she brought home was humility, gratitude, and awe at the human spirit's ability to rise above its earthly station. 

Veterans Legacy Memorial - US Department of Veterans Affairs

 https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov

DONATIONS

She requested no specific donations be made. Should you be compelled regardless, she was for the ethical treatment and dignity for any and all class, color, creed, and creature.