M. Beatrice Solinas

Gardner-M. Beatrice (Olivari) Solinas, 87, of 50 Pine Street and formerly of 104 Douglas Road, passed away peacefully in the arms of her daughter with her family bedside on Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Heywood Hospital. Bea was born September 19, 1930 the daughter of Augustino and Amalia (Granara) Olivari. She grew up on Pine Street in Gardner and graduated with the class of 1948 from Gardner High School where she received the little Oscar for “Sunniest” in her class. She was predeceased by her husband J. Angelo, who died in 1979. She leaves two children, James and his wife Kathryn of Brookline, NH and Gina Kelley and her husband Brian of Gardner, one grandson, Jak Kelley of Arlington, MA, and three granddaughters, Julia, Paige and Audrey of Brookline, NH. She leaves a cousin and many “nieces” and “nephews” and a very special Goddaughter, Nancy Bernier. Bea formerly managed the LaChance Insurance Agency and retired from Lashua-LaChance Insurance Agency in 1992. After retirement she assumed a voluntary position as a Trip Coordinator for the AARP, a role she loved as it allowed her to travel the world with friends and meet many wonderful people. Bea was a past president of the Heywood Hospital Aid Association and a former trustee of Heywood Hospital. She was a past president of Ferncol Friends and served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce. Bea was also a trustee of the Gardner Museum and served on the Fund Distribution Committee of the United Way. She was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart Church. Time spent with her children and grandchildren was what Bea cherished most. She was an avid Red Sox fan (especially Big Papi) and loved watching the games and talking about them with her grandson Jak. Her granddaughters’ favorite memories were of being poolside with “Gia” and her making them bacon for a snack. Bea also loved travelling and entertaining; balloons; playing cards, cribbage, Scrabble and solitaire; and doing the daily crossword puzzle. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in Holy Spirit Church, 50 Lovewell Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Gardner. Pall bearers will be John Olivari and Mark St. Laurent of Fitchburg, MA, Will Tarrats of Rindge, NH, Michael Langlois of Templeton, MA, John Gelsomini of Tyngsboro, MA and Zachary Sylvestre of Arlington, MA. Calling hours will be held Sunday, March 11, 2018 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Lamoureux-Smith & Poliks, A Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central Street, Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Compassionate Care ALS, PO Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Lamoureux-Smith & Poliks, A Mack Family Funeral home is directing arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com