Ditas Concepcion Solorio

With profound love, I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Ditas Concepcion Solorio. Beyond being a devoted mother, Ditas was a cherished sister and a loyal friend. After a courageous five-year battle with cancer, Ditas passed away peacefully in her home on June 2, 2025, in Rohnert Park, California, at the age of 64. Ditas leaves behind a legacy of unwavering strength, immense resolve, and a heart overflowing with mercy, truly embodying her birth name, Mercedita.

Born on April 16, 1961, in Manila, Philippines, Ditas was the second of five children to the late Ramon Trias Concepcion and Andrea Lavada Concepcion. From an early age, her adventurous and free-spirited soul shone through. Ditas loved exploring nature, delighting in catching frogs and butterflies, and cherished spending time with her late Uncle Paterno. During her childhood in the Philippines she mastered English with native fluency, and nurtured her artistic talents through traditional Filipino dance and guitar.

In 1974, Ditas moved with her family to San Leandro, California, attending San Lorenzo High School. During these formative years, she cultivated diverse interests. She delved into photography and fashion, and discovered her enduring passion for athletics. Inspired by her father's affinity for the sport, she joined the school’s tennis team. Ditas also found peace in the kitchen, learning traditional Filipino cuisine from her mother. This culinary skill would later become a testament to her giving heart. After her family relocated to Union City, Ditas demonstrated remarkable resolve, commuting daily to complete her senior year at San Lorenzo High School, from which she proudly graduated in 1979.

At 18, Ditas began a new chapter, living independently in San Francisco. During this era, her fiery, vibrant spirit blossomed. Ditas briefly worked at Wells Fargo, an interest likely sparked by her mother's career. However, it was on the dance floor where she truly found her rhythm and felt liberated and free. Ditas reigned as a disco queen, reflecting the joyous light of her true self.

From 1982 to 2009, Ditas built a distinguished 27-year career in the legal field. Ditas started as an administrative secretary at the State Bar of California and later excelled as a litigation secretary for prominent firms, including Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, Coudert Brothers, and the Law Offices of Thomas M. Di Franco (formerly Kopp & Di Franco), where she also served as office manager for nearly two decades. Her legal background likely fueled her fascination with true crime stories.

Ditas married Robert Solorio on May 28, 1988. They were married until 2005, during which time they welcomed their only daughter, Brigitte. Even with her professional success, Ditas always made time for her physical well-being; she loved to bodybuild and even had a personal trainer. I fondly remember working out with her in my youth.

Ditas’s generous spirit and warm nature were evident in every aspect of her life. Guided by her motherly heart and boundless compassion, she found her greatest joy in ensuring the comfort and happiness of those she held dear, touching countless lives. Her love was beautifully expressed through her cooking, a gift she shared with a full heart. She would often say she was "experimenting" in the kitchen, always creating the most delicious new dishes, like her heavenly spicy fried chicken. Her kitchen was a place of abundance, where she’d prepare huge, delicious meals that could last a full week, ensuring no one ever left hungry. Her palate was as bold as her personality, with a special fondness for hot sauce and spicy foods—so much so that you could find her eating a raw jalapeño pepper. She had a special way of making everyone feel loved, extending her motherly embrace to all walks of life. This same empathy fueled her fierce advocacy for anyone she felt had been wronged, always ready to lend an ear, offer advice, or simply nourish those she loved. A true gourmand, Ditas delighted in a diverse array of her favorite dishes when dining out, from seafood such as linguini with clams to California rolls and the comforting classic meatloaf. At home, her heart belonged to her own comforting chicken adobo, a dish that brought her immense solace; only days before her passing, she expressed a desire for her mother to bring her this cherished meal.

Ditas delighted in ordering specialty foods and gift baskets for her friends and family, which were always personal and from the heart. Beyond any gift, what I cherish most is the grace and compassion she showed me. In her final months, my mom often urged me to "soften my heart," a beautiful message that speaks volumes about her gentle spirit. She was the most beautiful woman and my greatest role model in the world.

Ditas had an exquisite eye for beauty and a deep love for the arts, which permeated every aspect of her life. She had a profound interest in philosophical books and would often recommend Hermann Hesse to me. She had a remarkable ability to find and create beauty in the world. When we lived in Mill Valley, she transformed the entire yard, digging and laying down sod, and even painted the deck herself. Her taste was truly refined, and she saw the beauty in everything. She always expressed herself through her vibrant and elegant personal style. Ditas would graciously humor me by cheerfully wearing the cute tracksuits I’d buy her, and we’d share tender moments wearing our matching character pajamas. My mom was my constant, unwavering support, and her love was a profound gift. Her smile always made me feel at home, loved, safe, and that everything would always be alright. Her laughter made me feel free to be myself, reminding me to live in the moment.

A cherished memory she often reminisced about was a time we were on vacation when I was a young girl. She was swept away by a wave deeper into the sea, unable to swim. She recalled me reassuring her, "You’re going to be okay, Mom." That simple act of comfort from me, in turn, brought her great comfort, a testament to our profound connection.

Ditas cherished animals, from her childhood dog Darna and hamsters in her youth to her beloved dogs Johnny Blue, Hope, and Valenté. She deeply admired the beauty of horses and found excitement in horse racing. She even shared with me her desire to one day ride them herself. She cherished shared moments, delighting in watching countless true crime, cooking, and singing shows with me, chatting with loved ones, and looked forward to her visits to the casino, where she enjoyed catching up with her dear friends, Carl and Chandara. Always keeping her mind sharp, Ditas loved crossword puzzles and playing bingo games.

Ditas is survived by her only daughter, Brigitte Solorio; her dogs, Hope and Valenté; her sisters, Corazon and Bernie Concepcion; her brothers, Ramon Jr. and Alex Concepcion; and her many cousins, amongst them, Cecilia Schuman and Florita Aringdaeng.

To commemorate the life of Ditas Concepcion Solorio, a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 10th, at 11:11 a.m. at Lake Merced, 1 Harding Rd., San Francisco. We will be sharing memories of Ditas and celebrating her love of beauty in the world. I encourage guests to bring their favorite photos and anecdotes to share, honoring Ditas’s vibrant spirit. Food from El Burrito Express, a favorite restaurant Ditas cherished, will be provided. For inquiries regarding food orders, please contact me at DitasCelebration@gmail.com