Evelina Depra Solatan

Evelina Depra Solatan, the daughter of the late Rafael Constantino Depra and the late Salustiana Perlas was born in Batan, Aklan, Philippines on October 20, 1939.  She was preceded in death by five of her siblings; Adolfo (d), Teresita (d), Expedita (d), Hildo (d), and Milagros (d) and is survived by three siblings - Luna, Edwin, and Lina.

Evelina grew up in Batan and attended Batan Elementary School and Batan Academy for high school.  She went to college in Manila and graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce.

Evelina met her husband Romeo Solatan, while working at the Manila Central Post Office and they were married in April 1972 at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.  A month after their wedding, Evelina immigrated to the United States.  Her first job was at Fisher Investments. The following year, Romeo immigrated to the United States and they lived in an apartment building in Washington, D.C. across the street from the Philippine Embassy. In July 1975 Evelina and Romeo welcomed their only daughter Agnes Mae.

In 1979, they bought their first house and moved to Langley Park, Maryland where they lived for 10 years. Her home in Langley Park became the central gathering place for family members and friends.  Evelina always greeted people with a big smile and was a gracious host.  She was an amazing cook and there were many dinners, get-togethers, and backyard cookouts. She always asked her guests – “Would you like something to eat?”

In 1989 Evelina and her family moved to Beltsville, MD where she continued to host gatherings at her home for the holidays, family birthday celebrations, anniversaries, etc.  Dishes like her Thanksgiving ham, pansit bihon, chicken adobo, and leche flan were some of her guest’s favorites.

Evelina retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2004 after 20 years of service.  She and Romeo spent the next couple of years traveling.  They went to Las Vegas, Philippines, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Evelina had a “green thumb”.  She loved to garden in the spring and summer, and was a plant hobbyist.  She loved to watch sports, especially football, and was a huge fan of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.  This helped her quickly form a close bond with her son-in-law Lamont.  She enthusiastically teased him when his team would lose.  She also loved to go shopping, could spend hours at the mall and never walked away from a good sale.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Agnes, son-in-law Lamont, goddaughter Sarah, surviving siblings, nieces, nephews, and her friends of over 50 years Aurora and Arsenia.