Henrietta C. Solanka (nee Albert) was born on August 25, 1918 and was the daughter of Henry Albert, Jr. and Mamie Young. She was raised on a farm in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, and attended elementary school in a seven room classroom, which she described as a small brick building built in 1924. She attended the flag raising ceremony and recalled how her grandfather would take her to school in a buggy pulled by his favorite horse, Nellie. She later attended Catonsville High School and graduated from the commercial course, which included typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping, in 1936.
Interestingly, the farm on which Henrietta spent her childhood was originally owned by Nicholas Smith, who, according to a Baltimore Sun article in 1989, was a member of the Underground Railroad. Henrietta remembered a graveyard on the property, and she recalled seeing the gravestone of Nicholas Smith, who died in 1873. Nicholas Smith owned a barrel and freight business, and was rumored that he hid fugitive slaves in the barrels and shipped them to safe havens in Washington, DC, and points north for their freedom, along with using the farm to keep them safe.
Henrietta Carrie Albert married John Elbert Hartman in 1937, and together they had three children, Barbara, Richard, and Patricia. She later remarried Andrew Solanka and together they raised Henrietta"s children, and welcomed Violet, Andy"s daughter, and her family.
Togehter, the family bonded, the children married, and the family grew larger. Henrietta and Andy created a strong marriage of love and support. Their home was always open to family and friends, and they enjoyed spending holidays with their grandchildren. Henrietta continued with her career as a secretary with both Revere Copper & Brass and later retiring from Maryland National Bank in Baltimore. She recalled the time when typewriters became electric and computers were introduced to the workplace. She quickly adapted, as she experienced much change during her lifetime. She remembered when radio was the social media, then television. In a letter to Justin, her grandson who was working on a middle school project about family history in 1998, she shared many memories about her childhood, but she also expressed concern that drug use among young people was going to be an problem and warned him.
On August 25, 2018, Henrietta, along with many family members and friends, celebrated her 100th birthday. She had a wonderful day and thanks to our family photographer, Jenny Denner, many photos! We are blessed to have friended, been raised by, and loved by, Henrietta Carrie Solanka. We love You.
On April 13, 2019 Hennietta C. Solanka beloved wife of the late Andrew Solanka and devoted mother of Patricia Papesh and the late Barbara Alexander Mease and Richard Hartman. Loving step-mother of Violet Wisnewski. Also survived by many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service on Saturday, April 20th, at 10 A.M. in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5701 Loch Raven Blvd.. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request donations in her memory to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5701 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239.