Linda Solomon
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute
Linda Zackler Solomon, Ph.D, 69, of Kansas City, Missouri, died on Monday, December 21, after a brief, courageous battle with metastatic cancer.
Linda was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 26, 1940 to the late Pauline and Abraham Zackler. She attended New York University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then Stanford University where she received a Master of Arts degree in audiology. She later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in speech pathology and audiology. Her career as a speech therapist and college professor spanned more than 40 years.
Linda was passionate about her work—helping people with neurological disorders recover their ability to communicate and maximize their quality of life. She was a leading practitioner of speech-language pathology in the Kansas City area, having directed the hearing and speech departments at Menorah Medical Center and at Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital. In 2000, she joined the faculty of Rockhurst University and, in 2005, was awarded tenure as Associate Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Linda took great pride in developing support groups for people with neurological disorders. She led in the creation of the Aphasia Conversation Group, the Parkinson’s Speech Group, and support groups for stroke survivors. She served on the Board of Counselors at St. Joseph Medical Center and the Board of Directors of the Swope Parkway Health Center. She was appointed to the Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities in Kansas City, Missouri, the Professional Advisory Board of the Parkinson’s Foundation of the Heartland, and the Professional Advisory Board of the Foundation for Voice and Swallowing Care. She also served as state representative for the National Aphasia Association and reviewer for the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences.
Most important to Linda was her family: her husband of 45 years Mel, her son Marc, daughter and son-in-law Laura and Charles Mardiks, and her beloved granddaughters Madeline and Zoe Mardiks. Linda is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Marsha and Joel Dowshen, sister-in-law Eleanor Levine, brother-in-law Barney Summers, nine nieces and nephews, and many, many loving friends and wonderful Brookside neighbors. She also leaves her cherished golden retriever Eli, who provided her so much joy.
Linda handled her disease and end of life with the same grace and dignity that characterized the rest of her life. Though her life was cut short, Linda was able to move through sadness to great peace and equanimity. In her final days, she was unburdened and full of wisdom and perspective. She focused on her blessings—her family, her close friends, all the people who cared about her, and her lifetime of work helping people recover from illness and injury. Linda’s life will be memorialized on Wednesday, December 23, at 2 p.m., at Congregation Beth Torah, 6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS.
Linda’s family has established a fund in her memory at Rockhurst University to support professional development in speech-language pathology for students in financial need. Contributions may be sent to Rockhurst University, Office of University Advancement, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, attn: Linda Z. Solomon, Ph.D. Memorial Award. To make a contribution by credit card, please visit www.rockhurst.edu/giving and select “give online.” One should specify that the gift is for the Linda Z. Solomon, Ph.D. Memorial Award.
While I never had the honor to know Mrs. Solomon, I can see from the son she leaves that she was strong, caring and deeply passionate about improving the lives of others. May her memory be inscribed forever in the souls of her family and friends.
Rick Jacobs.
A very special person who will be missed
Dear Solomon Family: I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Solomon, but I know her son. I understand Linda’s passion and drive for helping others because I see it in Marc. Her legacy will be long lived as her loving spirit and compassionate soul continues to live through Mel, Marc, Laura, Madeline, Zoe, Marsha and each life she touched in her far too brief time here among us. May the tradition and family unity of this holiday season bring you comfort in the midst of your deep grief. Our mother and family matriarch also passed away just 4 months ago, so know that other families are sharing stories, laughing and loving each other through the waves of unrelenting pain as well. I hear time helps; I wish that peace for your family. Linda and my mom, Shirley, shared the same birthday of April 26th; our hearts will be with your family on that day as well. With heart-felt sympathy, The Hudson Family
Dear Solomon Family: I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Solomon, but I know her son. I understand Linda’s passion and drive for helping others because I see it in Marc. Her legacy will be long lived as her loving spirit and compassionate soul continues to live through Mel, Marc, Laura, Madeline, Zoe, Marsha and each life she touched in her far too brief time here among us. May the tradition and family unity of this holiday season bring you comfort in the midst of your deep grief. Our mother and family matriarch also passed away just 4 months ago, so know that other families are sharing stories, laughing and loving each other through the waves of unrelenting pain as well. I hear time helps; I wish that peace for your family. Linda and my mom, Shirley, shared the same birthday of April 26th; our hearts will be with your family on that day as well. With heart-felt sympathy, The Hudson Family
As a kid, I remember Mrs. Solomon, as she was known to me, as these three things, in the extreme: tall, beautiful and emanating strength, intelligence and love. There was always something mysterious about her, like she knew a lot of things that no one else did. She seemed different than the other Moms we knew, and reading through the memorial above, I understand more of why now. What a giant life she had besides being for me all that mattered: being Marc’s nice, tall, beautiful Mom! Marc has always been one of the smartest, funniest, strongest people I know, and there is no doubt where much of that comes from. To Mr. Solomon, Marc, Laura and family, I want you to know that my heart is so heavy for you. The grace and strength with which you moved through this time is incredible. I will always remember Linda. She will always be part of the tapestry of my life. She will always be in my memory as she was: tall, strong, beautiful, and filled with love. I send you all my love and prayers xoxoJulie Fingersh
My heart goes out to the Solomon family during this difficult time. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Linda, it is clear just how much of a positive impact she had on the many lives she touched. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to those who are hurting as a result of her passing.
My greatest sympathy to Mel and Linda’s children and grandchildren. I only knew Linda in passing, having met her on the Trolley Track Trail many times as she walked her dog. I always admired her beauty and bearing, and we chatted many times about our work as university professors. I am so sorry about her loss.
Just right issues?I might word that as any individual who actually doesn’t write on blogs a lot (in fact, this can be my first put up), I don’t suppose the term ‘lurker’ may be very changing into to a non-posting reader. It’s not your fault the least bit , but most likely the blogosphere could get a hold of a greater, non-creepy title for the 90% people that enjoy studying the content material .
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this submit and if I could I wish to recommend you some attention-grabbing things or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
A person necessarily lend a hand to make significantly articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual submit incredible. Excellent task!
I was a patient of Dr. Soloman’s in the summer of 1998. She was truly an angel in my life. I found this website because I was attempting to look her up to tell her the success I have had in my life, in large part, due to her hard work in my rehabilitation from a brain injury at the age of 28.
She gifted me a picture she took directly from her office wall that today hangs in my bedroom wall. It says ” Be pleased with the rising and the setting of the sun. For with in their bonds lie the gifts of the day.”
I thank God for Linda’s life and the for being fortunate enough to know her.