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Arts community mourns loss of Soller
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
The death of Margaret “Sis” Soller — an artist, actress and community leader in both fields — has left a void at two of the Mahoning Valley’s arts and entertainment venues.
Soller, of Boardman, served as president of Friends of American Art at the Butler Institute of American Art. She co-founded the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society and had served as its president.
She was also a pillar of the Youngstown Playhouse and twice served as president of the theater.
Soller died April 18 of complications due to pulmonary fibrosis. She was 84.
“Sis Soller was energy personified,” said Lou Zona, director of the Butler. “She was in full throttle on any project that she was involved with and never lost her sense of humor. Here at the Butler, she worked tirelessly on events and projects that will forever be identified with her. She was an artist of endless gifts, whether painting, acting on stage, or creating events that brought all of the arts together.”
Mary Ruth Lynn, executive director of Youngstown Playhouse, called Soller a shining light at the theater.
“Sis was a part of the Youngstown Players before the group built the Playhouse,” said Lynn. “Her first performances with the Players were at the old Ohio Theater on Market Street, which was the Playhouse’s home prior to its current location. She worked in every aspect of the theater, from being a board member and president, to working with the former Women’s League, to organizing art shows for the lobby, to her many memorable performances onstage.”
Soller’s last performance at the Playhouse was in the musical “Titanic” (2008).
“The first time I stepped on the stage of the Youngstown Playhouse was in 1964,” recalled Lynn. “We were doing the musical ‘Wonderful Town,’ and Sis Soller had one of the leads. I will never forget how supportive she was to me, a newcomer and high school student.”
A piece of Soller’s work will remain at the Playhouse as a legacy. Soller created the bar top in the theater lounge out of playbills. It frequently sparks conversation by theater-goers.
“The Playhouse family has lost a piece of its heart,” said Lynn.