Sylvia Loraine Read, 99, of Clearfield, passed away on May 9, 2011 at Ridgeview Elder Care Rehabilitation Center in Curwensville.
Miss Read was the daughter of George W. and Julia A. (McCracken) Read who preceded her in death in 1938 and 1977 respectively. Born in Ferguson Township, Clearfield Co., on May 19, 1911 on the family farm near Kerrmoor, she attended the Friendship School until the family moved to Clearfield in 1921. Upon graduation from the Clearfield Area High School, she became a legal secretary by graduating from the accredited program of the day. Returning to Clearfield, she worked some 45 years as the executive secretary for the law office of Harold Boulton in Clearfield.
Considering the period in which Miss Read educationally pursued a career, in the 1920’s, when such was not a common feat, she might be considered somewhat of a pioneer in the area of women in the professional workplace.
She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Clearfield, serving as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and deaconess. As a charter member of the Clear-Penn National Secretary Association, Miss Read served in varying capacities and was named the association’s first recipient of the Secretary of the Year Award in 1965.
Miss Read lived a quiet unassuming life at the same residence in Clearfield since the move from Kerrmoor, enjoying family, church, limited travel and oil painting.
She is survived by a brother, Richard C. Read and his wife Donna of Mahaffey, two sister-in laws; Dorothy L. (Shoff) Read of Kerrmoor and Norma (Aughenbaugh) Read of Clearfield and eight nieces and nephews.
Miss Read was preceded in death by the following siblings: Mrs. Kermit (Diantha R.) Graham, Mrs. Howard (Blanche R.) Spencer, Mrs. Russell (Dortha R.) Thomson, George Eldon Read, Seth C. Read, her twin and an infant brother, David.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 13, 2011 at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc., of Clearfield with Rev. John Spencer, her nephew, officiating.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of services.
Miss Read’s life, having spanned the period from homes having no electricity, traveling unpaved roads, walking to and from a one room school house to the present, called her to select as her final resting place, the quiet setting of The Watts Cemetery in Greenwood Township, Clearfield Co., near the place of her birth and next to her parents.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in care of the First Baptist Church, 111 North 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.
To send an on line tribute goes to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com
Arrangements under the direction of Bennett & Houser Funeral Home, Clearfield, PA.