ROSENFELD, LOIS (nee Blyler): On February 7, 2019, Lois Jean Rosenfeld died at 91 in Sarasota, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband David less than six months ago. She was the beloved daughter of Edward Alton Blyler and Jeanette Gertrude Brenner Blyler of Altoona, PA. She is survived by her children Samuel (Sacha), Brian (Sally Thorner) and Maida Milone, her two grandsons, Everett Rosenfeld and G. Matthew Milone, and her sister Molly Perez. Her grandson Jordan Rosenfeld predeceased her, and his death left a sadness in her heart that was indelible. Lois was born in Altoona in 1927. Along with her three sisters, Doris, Claire and Molly, she was one of the pretty Blyler girls, and though her beginnings were humble, she always dreamed of having a glamorous life. During high school at Altoona High and when she graduated in 1946, she worked at Quaker Cleaners, one of number of stores owned by Dave and his Pittsburgh-based family. They met and fell in love there, but their marriage had to await her return from Philadelphia where she was pursuing a modeling career. Lois and Dave married in 1950 in Pittsburgh, where they raised their three children. Lois was a homemaker for much of that time, although always the most beautifully dressed and poised, her model instincts never leaving her. Indeed, throughout her life, she imparted to her daughter Maida a deep love of all things beautiful and the joy that comes from being surrounded by aesthetically pleasing things. When her life circumstances required it, she went into the working world and opened an art and framing gallery, the Little Gallery, surprising her family with her entrepreneurial spirit. When she moved to Philadelphia in the 1970’s, she continued working as an antique dealer, always loving the hunt for special pieces and finding the right customers for them. She and Dave moved to Sarasota in the 1990’s to escape the cold winters, and she continued to do antique shows well into her mid-eighties when a stroke suddenly and significantly disabled her. It was so difficult for someone with her elegance to no longer be able to move with grace through the world. A private graveside ceremony will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to the American Stroke Association. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 412-621-8282. www.schugar.com
