With hearts aching but still grateful, we announce the passing of our mother, Jaye Solimini (born Josephine Veronica DeLauro), in her own way and in her own time, on April 6, 2020. As her children, we could not be more thankful for every moment we've had with her and the examples she had set. Mom was the most spirited cheerleader of our every accomplishment, large and small. As adoring grandmother to Patrick James Beck and Ian Jaye Beck, she inspired them to "Look for the little victories" in the face of any perceived obstacle or struggle, and her pride in them as young men in college could only be summed up in her huge smile and "Aaaayyyyy!" whenever they entered her space. Her strength, morality, and loyalty were legendary among all others who were lucky enough to cross her path.

Jaye was born to the late Josephine (Nardella) and Thomas DeLauro on July 4, 1931, in Hoboken, N.J. The eldest of their eight children, she was the beloved sister of Thomasina DeLauro Nolan, Thomas DeLauro, Frank and sister-in-law Marilyn DeLauro, Terry and husband Jerry Natale, Richard DeLauro, Arlene Mouras, and the late Dennis DeLauro Though she left formal education in the ninth grade to help support her family, Jaye was a lifelong learner, an avid reader, and a fierce follower of current events.

Mom did not think of herself as a gambler but admitted that she took one gamble that paid off, when she went on a double date with her cousin Madeline, Madeline's fiancé Jack and Jack's best friend. On September 12, 1954, she married the best friend, Frank (Onofrio) Solimini, despite knowing that her time with him would be limited by his childhood heart condition. "I said I'd rather be with you for a few years than with anyone else for the rest of my life. And I would never have had the life I did with any of the other men I ever met." After searching all of New York City, she paid $150 for the wedding dress she found in a shop down the street in Hoboken, then had to ask her husband-to-be for a loan of $7 for the extra crinoline she wanted under the skirt. (Yes, she paid him back.)  Their three-week honeymoon, up and down the East Coast and into Canada, was unheard of in that time (especially with so little money); each of the 17 years they had together brought new adventures during vacations and day-trips away from their home in Edgewater and later Brick, N.J. Frank called her "my half-pint" (she was only 5-foot-3), but she towered over everyone in her devotion to him, their three children and their families, and multitudes of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews on both sides.

A widow at 39, Jaye found work as an office administrator for Ocean Early Childhood Center in Brick; for 16 years, she welcomed the staff and preschoolers who brought a smile and a new funny story to her each day. After moving to Boynton Beach, Florida, in 1987, she worked as a bookkeeper in local assisted-living facilities until age 72. Then at 74, she was hired by Aztil Air Conditioning in a similar position and continued there until the day after her 86th birthday, when health issues interfered. In her long working life, she was often the eldest by decades among the employees, which she enjoyed immensely (the feeling seemed to be mutual). When she finally entered assisted living herself, she was surprised to realize, "I've never been around so many old people before!"

In addition to her family, Jaye loved British history and mysteries; Turner Classic Movies (before they were classics); music from Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen to "Red Solo Cup"; Michelle and Barack Obama; "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel;" Charmin Ultra Soft; and Kate Spade lip balm. A devout parishioner of Saint Thomas Moore, she served there as a Eucharistic minister and religious instructor. For many years, she also volunteered at the Caridad Center Mission.

Two and a half years ago, her cardiologist bent over Jaye in her hospital bed, took her hands and said, "You've had a good life, haven't you?" She agreed, and immediately began her recovery, to begin what came to be known as Plan B. (Plan A had been to die at her desk and "be dragged out by my heels.") A resident of Barrington Terrace since December 2017, she finally had the "one-and-half-room apartment" she's always said she wanted, with obligations to no one. Surrounded by walls full of family photos, she was able to continue that good life for longer than anyone could have guessed in the place she now thought of as home.

Thank you so much to all who have helped Jaye and gave her the love she so freely returned.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 17th at 10 a.m., St. Francis Catholic Church, Hoboken, NJ, burial to follow, Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

Cheryl Solimini and Martin Farawell of Milford, PA.

Steven Solimini of Boynton Beach, FL.

Meryl Solimini Beck and Andrew Beck of Broadlands, VA.