Parsippany mourns Lorraine LaVopa Sola, beloved community activist and 'force of nature'
Friends and associates gathered Friday to pay final respects to Lorraine LaVopa Sola, a well-known volunteer for several community programs in Parsippany who died July 23. She was 79.
Her daughter, Danielle Petrosine, said LaVopa Sola was driving from her home on July 22 to help "a friend in need" in Denville when it is believed she suffered a heart attack behind the wheel as she pulled into the friend's driveway. The car then crashed into a small ravine on the property.
Responders extricated her from the car and took her first to Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville, then to the trauma center at Morristown Medical Center, where she died early Saturday morning.
Born in Bronx, N.Y., one of two children to Anthony and Pasquina LaVopa Sola, she immersed herself in community activities after moving to her adopted home in Parsippany.
"She spent a great deal of time giving back to the community," Parsippany Democratic Committee Chair Matt Clarkin wrote in a tribute statement. "She was a longtime PTO member at her children’s schools, secretary to the Madison zoning board, a driver for the Parsippany Community Center and the District 39 committeewoman on the Parsippany Democratic Committee."
LaVopa Sola also was an accomplished professional. She earned a general management degree from Thomas Edison State after the birth of her three children, Joseph, Richard and Danielle. She went on to work for Fidelity Management and Hoffman Architects and later received a Realtor's license to lease commercial space.
But it was her activism, enthusiasm and community spirit that "inspired others to do the same," said Parsippany Democratic Committee Vice Chair Judy Hernandez.
“Lorraine, my friend, was a force of nature, larger than life itself," she said. "Her goal was to make a positive contribution wherever she could and she has done that in spades. She will be sorely missed.”
“Lorraine was more than an activist and an advocate for senior citizens in Parsippany,” said former Mayor Michael Soriano. “Her family, friends, and colleagues at the Parsippany Department of Aging are all going to miss her loving energy and her drive to make our world a better place.”
LaVopa Sola was particularly proud of her work on campaigns for Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Gov. Phil Murphy, Clarkin said. She also was proud to sit on the Parsippany Democratic Committee with her son, Joseph.
“I’ll miss seeing Lorraine in my office advocating for people in our district and at campaign events engaging the community on issues she cared about," Sherrill said. "Lorraine worked tirelessly for our community and was truly a model of civic engagement. Her dedication to improving the lives of those around her was special. Our community will miss her dearly, and her contribution to Parsippany and Morris County will not be forgotten. I am keeping her family and friends in my thoughts as they cope with this horrific tragedy.”
“I’ve known Lorraine for the entirety of my adult life, and was always inspired by her boundless energy,” Clarkin said. “She rarely slowed down. She shared her opinions openly. And she fiercely loved her family. That her loss has hit so many so hard is a testament to the way Lorraine lived her life – in service to others.”
Beyond Parsippany and politics, her admirers included Morristown native and well-known musician John Ginty.
"It’s difficult to sum up in a paragraph what an amazing human being Lorraine LaVopa Sola was," said Ginty, a keyboard player who has toured with the Dixie Chicks and more recently the Allman Betts Band. "She was caring, funny, engaged, supportive. I’d be hard pressed to think of a local show I’ve played in the past 15-20 years that she wasn’t in the audience for. She loved music, and loved the Allman Betts Band. There would always be pictures and posts the day after the show."
She is survived by her children: Joseph, Richard and Danielle; son-in-law Shaunn Fullmer and grandchildren Jenna, Gabrielle, Ashley, Nicholas and Aidan.
The family held services Friday at Dangler Funeral Home in Madison.
Petrosine said her mother opted for cremation and "less of a 'service' and more of an opportunity to celebrate her life by having all of her family and friends gather together in her honor."
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Lorraine LaVopa Sola: Parsippany NJ mourns community activist
