Barbara May Strum Sollinger, 83, passed away August 14, 2024, at her home. She was born January 30, 1941, in Dedham, Massachusetts, to Robert Bruce Strum and Etta May Robar Strum.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Merle F. Sollinger, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Crystal Harris Sollinger.
She is survived by her children Linda Sollinger Toler (Lee), Robert Bruce Sollinger, and Jeanie Sollinger Stanley (Robbie), all of Dunn; grandchildren, Christopher Toler, Robin Pichay, Ethan Stanley, Lindsey Stanley, and Emma Stanley; and great-grandchildren, Ella Toler, Petra Pichay, and Luca Pichay.
Barbara entered Pilgrim State School of Nursing in Brentwood, NY, following high school graduation in 1958 where she met the love of her life and fellow nursing student Merle Sollinger. They married in November of 1960 and graduated in 1961. Eight years and three children later they, put one another through anesthesia school. They worked the majority of their careers together as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). They first worked together as CRNAs in northwest Alabama from 1971 until 1985. They then decided to return to what they considered their home state of North Carolina in 1985 and settled in Dunn, working at Betsy Johnson Hospital for many years.
After retiring from Betsy Johnson Hospital in 1999, Barbara divided her time among her many passions. She loved spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, computers, and crafting. She was exceptionally fond of sewing as it allowed her to combine her love of computers and the many sewing techniques related to embroidery, smocking, and furniture upholstery just to name a few. Barbara enjoyed the occasional trip but was always eager to return home to Dunn or their little getaway at Oak Island, NC.
While Barbara was an intensely private person, she was fiercely devoted to her Lutheran faith, family, and country. The family asks that in lieu of food or flowers, gifts of condolences or remembrance be made to one’s home church, St. Jude Hospital, or Paralyzed Veterans of America.
A private funeral service will be held at a later date.
