Sylvia Martin (Schmidle) Lafranchi

Age 96, of Longwood at Oakmont, formerly of Wilkinsburg, passed away on August 31, 2016. She was born in Mill Run, PA and a daughter of the late John George and Sylvia Albright Schmidle. She was a graduate of Penn State University earning a BA in English, Education and Secondary Education. Additional studies were taken at the University of Pittsburgh. She was an active member of South Avenue United Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg. She was a resident of Wilkinsburg for 52 years. Ms. Lafranchi said that “she loved the small town community and its spirit of working together.” Wilkinsburg was for her a truly "multicultural community.” Mrs. Lafranchi retired from St. Edmunds Academy in Squirrel Hill, where she taught Latin and English. She was president of the Classical Association of Pittsburgh, a group of Latin and Greek teachers, after the death of her first husband, Harold I Martin, Sr., civil engineer and president of Swindell-Dressler Company. A lot of the firm’s emphasis was the construction of Tata Steelworks, in Jamshedpur, India. Sylvia became involved in several activities after Harold Martin’s death. She was the president of the Wilkinsburg School Board for four years and vice president for two years. Sylvia also was the chairman of the Citizens' Coordinating Committee. This group fought vigorously to restore trust in city government, Wilkinsburg, PA. She was a council member, then executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Wilkinsburg from 1983-1985. Sylvia was on the zoning board, president of the Women’s Club of Wilkinsburg, chairman of the Executive Board of South Avenue United Methodist Church. She was the Emeritus Director of the Boys and Girls Club, a volunteer for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Lafranchi served as president of the Economic Development Group East. She served on that board for ten years. In the fall of 1993 Sylvia received a call from the Republican Party of Wilkinsburg and was asked if she would like to run for Mayor. Her husband, William Lafranchi, agreed that she should give it a try. Upon winning, her term of office was from 1994-1998. She was citizen of the year, two years in a row. Mrs. Lafranchi was a member of the College/University Club, the PAA and the Edgewood Country Club. She was a member of the Pittsburgh Bibliophile Association and Wilkinsburg Historical Society. Significant awards were the Lifetime Community Outreach service award in 1995, and the YWCA as a civic leader. Sylvia is survived by her husband, William E. Lafranchi; daughter, Patricia Martin of Gum Spring, VA and son, David Bruce Martin of Penn Point, MD. Mrs. Lafranchi is also survived by her grandchildren, Talon Jacob Martin Sypolt and Summer Rain Martin of VA. Mrs. Lafranchi was preceded in passing by her sister, Helen Reedl her son, Harold I Martin, Jr. and brothers, George Earl Schmidle and Lawrence E. Schmidle. Friends will be received for viewing at the WOLFE MEMORIAL, INC., 3604 Greensburg Pike, Forest Hills, PA 15221, 412-731-5001, Friday 1-4 p.m. only. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Longwood of Oakmont Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Wilkinsburg, PA or the charity of their choice.