Angela Marie Solesbee

Angela Marie Solesbee, 55, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024 surrounded by her closest friends and family. Her long, arduous battle with breast cancer had ended.

A native of Swannanoa, Angie was the daughter of the late Dorothy nee McMahan and Arthur Solesbee. She was preceded in death by her beloved brothers, Bobby Gene and David.

Angie is survived by her cherished life-partner of 33 years, Irene Hebert. Others left to grieve include her sister, Pamela Ward, brothers, Mark and Carl Solesbee, niece Leah, and nephews Tyler, Brian, Seth and David.

A graduate of Owen High School, Angie initially worked as an EMT with the Buncombe County Fire Department. Her quick thinking and clinical insight made her a natural for emergency situations. As a first responder, she saved many accident victims with her instinctive life-saving skills. Completing her LPN at ABTech, Angie embarked on a remarkable 30-year career at Mission Hospital, beginning as transporter in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and progressively working her way up to staff manager.

After earning her RN, Angie assumed and developed the position of Code STEMI (ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction) Coordinator, facilitating the emergent transfer of any patient in Western NC meeting heart attack criteria to Mission’s Cath Lab to limit heart damage and ultimately save lives. A gifted organizer, she seamlessly coordinated EMS, Regional ERs, as well as the on-call interventional crew, ER staff and emergency transport at Mission. An exceptional patient advocate, Angie would often personally greet the patient at the ER door, accompanying them swiftly to the interventional suite. Her outstanding work was recognized nationally by the STEMI credentialing organization which asked about publishing her criteria for widespread use.

Angie’s tireless efforts to improve the urgent care of heart attack patients continued despite the toll of recurrent cancer. Once unable to continue, she was sorely missed by hospital staff, who quickly realized no one individual could handle the work load she accomplished with ease.

Beyond career, Angie was an avid gardener, accomplished fisherman, enthusiastic traveler, lifelong learner, and lover of music. Her best times in life were at the beach with her feet in the sand or her hands proudly displaying her latest catch.

Her family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 16, at Groce Funeral Home chapel on Tunnel Rd. A Celebration of Angie’s Life will follow at 11:00 am. Rev. Mark Snyder will officiate. Interment will thereafter take place at Mountain View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Irene and Angie ask that memorials be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.