Mother and Former Candidate Tragically Takes Her Own Life

by Sharon Aron Baron October 8, 2014

by Sharon Aron Baron October 8, 2014 3 minutes read

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Shelly Solomon {Photo by Adam Baron}

By: Sharon Aron Baron

A woman that fell to her death from a Fort Lauderdale condo yesterday was confirmed to be a former tennis pro and candidate for School Board Rochelle “Shelly” Solomon.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, who did not have the woman’s identity, Solomon died Tuesday afternoon after falling 15 stories from the roof of the Marine Tower Condominiums on Las Olas Boulevard.

Authorities at the scene initially said the body was of a construction worker, but executives at Delray Beach-based Carousel Development & Restoration told Local 10 News they did not employ any women as construction workers.

An on-site supervisor claimed the woman jumped off the roof and landed on the scaffolding below.

Originally from Washington D.C., Shelly Solomon, 51, lived in Florida full-time since she was 11. She was an All-American tennis player in college, having won the NCAA team championship, then turned professional in 1982. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Nova University Law School.

After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1992, Solomon became an Assistant State Attorney for Broward County. She then became a Partner and Of Counsel for a Coral Springs law firm and a volunteer for Legal Aid Services.

Solomon leaves behind four children: Lexi, Jake, and twins Adam and Ashley.

Shelly Solomon

Solomon wanted her legacy to be a role model and mentor for youth instilling respect, responsibility, and leadership skills.

Through her law, community service, and advocacy, she is a grassroots team player. Shelly was a Certified Life Coach and a Mental Toughness Coach. She was a member of many Broward County Bar Association Sections and on the Legislative Affairs Committee, a member of the Broward County Women’s Lawyer Association, and was honored to contribute her legal, leadership, and mentoring skills to the KDA Foundation.

One of Solomon’s passions before running for office was anti-bullying. She became co-chair of the Broward School District’s Anti-Bullying Task Force, where her efforts led to the adoption of the School District’s Anti-Bullying Policy.

“Bullying greatly affects how kids do at school,” said Solomon. “I see such a lack of respect (between others). I see it with kids and adults. If left unchecked, we’re going to see more incidents of suicide rising. We have to start educating children early.”

Solomon ran for Broward County School Board in 2012 in District Four which covered Parkland, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Margate, and North Lauderdale. She placed second in the primary out of six candidates but lost to Abby Freedman in the November election.

Memorial services were held at the Star of David Memorial Gardens on October 12,

Donations may be made in Shelly’s loving memory to the Humanity Project, 604 NE 2nd Street, Dania Beach, FL 33004. www.Ganleyfoundation.org or your charity of choice.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I initially assisted Solomon with her 2012 School Board campaign with media and photography. I am saddened for her four children that have lost an incredible mother.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.