New Lebanon – Julia H. Malkowski Soldato, 87, of Kline Lane, Lebanon Springs, NY, died on Tuesday evening, November 17, 2009, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, surrounded by her loving family, under the care of Hospice Care in the Berkshires.
Born January 18, 1922, in Pittsfield, MA, Julia was the loving wife of the late Mario A. Soldato, who died on October 22, 2002. They were married on April 15, 1946, in the Holy Family Church in Pittsfield. She has been a resident of New Lebanon, NY, since 1947 and was a communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in New Lebanon.
Educated in Pittsfield schools, Mrs. Soldato became a beautician for a short time. She and her late husband owned and operated The Old Homestead in New Lebanon. After owning a variety store/gas stations for a few years, they established Mario’s Restaurant on Route 20 in 1963. She worked alongside her husband until they retired, about 15 years ago, handing over the reins of the business to their children who continue to operate the restaurant. In retirement, Julia continued on as “quality control supervisor.” She was a member of the New Lebanon Senior Citizens.
Survivors include her children, Jo and her late husband William Raney of New Lebanon, Kathleen and husband Eric McCumber of Stephentown, NY, Diane and her husband Donald DiBuono and Michael and wife Lynne Soldato, all of New Lebanon, grandchildren, D.J. and Laura DiBuono and Sage and Madison Soldato, and siblings, Christine Stafford, Ann Nascimento and John Skumin, all of Pittsfield, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be on Monday, November 23, at 11:15 am from the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, then at 12 noon in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Route 20, New Lebanon, where Rev. John Close will celebrate a Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial assisted by Deacon Peter Quinn. Interment will follow in the Cemetery of the Evergreens. Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral home for visitation on Sunday from 3 to 7 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires (www.hcib.org) or Friends of Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter (www.pittsfieldanimals.org) in memory of Julia H. Soldato.