Sylvia M. Perotti, age 81, a life-long resident of Bloomsburg and proud Mother of six children, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, September 23, 2014 at her residence.
Sylvia was born on Friday, October 14, 1932 in Shamokin, a daughter of the late Louis John and Josephine (Concannon) Perotti. Throughout her younger years, she attended and later graduated in 1950 from Bloomsburg High School. Sylvia expanded her education while attending the former Bloomsburg State Teachers College.
Sylvia, a true history buff and voracious reader, was a fixture in Bloomsburg -- the town she loved and spent much free time researching its historic architecture. Many years ago, she assembled a pictorial history of Bloomsburg's beautiful homes, which she donated to her favorite of all buildings, The Bloomsburg Public Library. She worked for many Bloomsburg businesses, but her most loved job was caring for special needs children and later adults for Community Services Group.
Before she lost the majority of her sight to glaucoma, Sylvia was seen walking and riding her bike all around town. For many years she volunteered at both the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, in many roles and capacities, as well as the Bloomsburg Public Library. Mom could be seen cracking up the college kids at Bloomsburg University's Kehr Union – from where she retired in 2001. Over the years Mom made many afghans for her special friends including her postal carriers, library friends, BTE friends and numerous college kids.
In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by six siblings: Mary Elizabeth Kaitz; Dick Perotti; Joanne Stout; Larry Perotti; Anthony Perotti and Jerry Perotti.
Sylvia was a proud and loving Mother of six children: Kathleen "Tassy" Swank and husband, Thomas, of Bloomsburg; Ann Marie Gibbons of Dickson City; Carol Gibbons of Chesapeake, VA; Louis Gibbons and wife, Lisa Holloway, of Berwyn, PA; Michael Gibbons and wife, Amanda, of Bordentown, NJ; and Susan Wissmann and husband, Dominique, of Brooklyn, NY; 14 grandchildren: Mark Moser and wife, Dana; Jason Yorty and wife, Karen; Michael Yorty and wife, Natalie; Aaron Yorty; John Yorty and wife, Andrea; Emily Gibbons; Claire Gibbons, Max Wissmann; Norman Holloway; Laura Gibbons; Sarah Gibbons; Heather Benninger; Shawna Schutlz and husband, David; Eric Swank and wife, Brittany; 14 great-grandchildren; and by three siblings: Leonard Perotti, Frank Perotti; and Joseph Perotti.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday morning, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at the St. Columba Catholic Church, 40 E. 3rd and Iron Street, Bloomsburg with Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence, as celebrant. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in the Old Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to be serving the Perotti family.
Memorial contributions in Sylvia's name are suggested to: Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg, PA 17185 or the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815.