Ann Ruth Entin Soloway

Ann Ruth Entin Soloway, formerly residing in Port Washington, New York, passed away peacefully and fully loved, at her home on July 1, 2020, not long after celebrating a joyous 90th birthday on Zoom with her extended family. All who were blessed to know her knew her qualities of strength, determination, fierce loyalty, and cultivation of happiness. Her advice to her beloved nephews and nieces, often repeated and a central principle of her own life, was: "Do something interesting! And often!" She was born May 29, 1930, to Isadore and Martha Entin in Trenton, New Jersey. As a high-schooler, she took on the responsibility of caring for the family household during the years her mother was being treated for breast cancer, developing a strength and maturity beyond her years. She graduated from Trenton High School and studied special education at the University of Miami for three years before marrying Leon "Chick" Soloway. As Chick and his brother Arnie Soloway were founding Camp Walt Whitman in New Hampshire, Ann became a vital part of the camp, becoming director of swimming and boating and eventually camp co-director. She maintained the waterfront, and, with formidable authority, taught generations of children to swim over the 70 years she spent at the camp. After Chick died in 1984, she stepped up and took over his role as square- and folk-dance leader with her dear friend Rob Sherry. Ann was a lifetime athlete and spent two decades helping children with disabilities from the Henry Viscardi School in Queens NY to swim. She served as a public-school volunteer tutor. She was an avid swimmer, tennis player, folk dancer, yoga practitioner, stone sculptor, whittler, bird watcher, nature lover, theater lover, and world traveler. She kept a suitcase packed and ready to go on adventures at all times. In her 90th year, she took up salsa dancing! She actively supported democratic values, voting rights, the women's movement, and Medicare for All. She found great joy in the relationships she formed throughout her life and devotedly kept in touch with a myriad of relatives and friends from all walks of life, even in her last days. She was the beloved wife of Chick Soloway for 33 years. Following his death, she met and developed a loving partnership with Aaron Beckerman, MSW, which lasted more than two decades, until Aaron's death in 2012. She is survived by her children Michael Soloway, Irene Soloway, and Amy Soloway Ndaw, their spouses Suzanne Byrnes, J.F Shaw and Djily Ndaw, her adored grandson Alioune Ndaw, as well as dear cousins, beloved nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews, and her campers and students, too numerous to mention but all well-loved. A private graveside funeral was held on July 2. In lieu of a shiva or in person memorial at this time, the family invites you to share your thoughts, memories, and photos with us on this website as a way of gathering together.