News Summary
Margaret Mary Harkins Soltis, a graduate of Matignon High School and a Navy veteran, passed away after a long battle with dementia. Born in Somerville, she was known for her humor and resilience, leaving a legacy of love and creativity. Survived by her husband and family, her life was marked by service, adventure, and a passion for art. Her funeral will be held on September 24 in New Orleans.
New Orleans – Margaret Mary Harkins Soltis, a beloved graduate of Matignon High School and Navy veteran, passed away on September 13, 2025, at the age of 81 following a long battle with dementia. She leaves behind a legacy marked by humor, resilience, and a commitment to service.
Born in Somerville, Massachusetts, on May 28, 1944, Soltis was the daughter of Albert Green Harkins and Eileen Rita Griffin Harkins. She is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, Bruce Soltis; her son, Kenneth Soltis, and his wife Celeste Sonnier; as well as her cherished grandchild, Marguerite Marie Soltis. Her family also includes her brother, Daniel Harkins, and seven nieces and nephews. Tragically, her sister, Catherine May, predeceased her.
Soltis was known for her profound sense of humor, which is fondly remembered by her family and friends. She graduated from Matignon High School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in 1962, she enrolled at Emmanuel College in Boston, where she earned a degree in chemistry.
In 1966, during the Vietnam War, Soltis enlisted in the US Navy, driven by a desire for equal opportunity and to experience the world. Although she disagreed with the US involvement in Vietnam, she humorously noted that her views led to her assignment in Bainbridge, Maryland. It was there that she met her future husband, Bruce Soltis. The couple married in 1970 at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts. Soltis received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1968, after which she briefly taught in Maryland.
Adventure marked Soltis’s early years post-Navy; in 1969, she traveled extensively across Europe on a modest budget of $5 a day. Upon her return in 1970, she became engaged to Bruce. As a working mother, Soltis acted as the primary earner while Bruce pursued his graduate studies, taking various teaching positions and working in a university toxicology lab.
The family relocated to New Orleans in 1977 when Bruce secured a job, and Soltis joined the USDA’s Southern Regional Research Laboratory as a technician, helping to develop permanent-press finishes for cotton fabrics. Despite facing health challenges, including lupus in early adulthood, Soltis remained a steadfast presence for her family. Her struggle with lupus led to severe autoimmune attacks and the loss of a kidney, but after entering remission in 1980, she gave birth to her son, Kenneth, in January 1981. After becoming a full-time mother, Soltis took up yoga in her 40s, which contributed to her lupus going into permanent remission.
Alongside her professional life, Soltis had a passion for art. She volunteered as a docent at the New Orleans Museum of Art, leading school children on tours and sharing her love of creativity. In the late 1980s, she developed a talent for pottery, producing various pieces that showcased her artistic abilities, many of which became treasured gifts for loved ones.
In her later years, Soltis faced the challenges of dementia, which affected much of her personality, yet her sense of humor remained intact until her final weeks. Her family and friends continue to celebrate her indomitable spirit and the joy she brought into their lives.
Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans, with visitation starting at 11 AM and a service at noon. A reception will follow interment at the Southern Yacht Club at 1:30 PM.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Margaret Soltis Obituary
- Wikipedia: Dementia
- Dignity Memorial: Service Details
- Google Search: Navy Veterans
- Dignity Memorial: Funeral Information
- Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Navy
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
