Eadie Loffert, 1924-2010

Eadie Loffert, 1924-2010

Eadie Loffert accompanied her husband to Allegany County in 1953 when Robert came here to work at Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG). Eadie would eventually become a leading proponent and civic activist in the provision of community services for LaVale, which at that time was a burgeoning suburb of Cumberland.

Concerned over the time it took for ambulances to respond to area emergencies, Eadie formed the committee which went on to establish the LaVale Rescue Squad in 1969. As Chairman of the LaVale Civic Improvement Association, she later initiated and co-chaired the LaVale Library Committee which resulted in a brand new library for LaVale in 1975. She was also the editor of the LaVale Suburbanite, a community newspaper which she edited from 1968 until its final issue in 1988, a twenty-year period.

Eadie has received much recognition over the years for her efforts. In 1984, as part of the State of Maryland's 350th Anniversary Celebration, a Special Parade Souvenir Issue Publication of 150 Years of the Old Pike Through LaVale was dedicated in her honor.

The following is an excerpt from Eadie P. Loffert's obituary which appeared in the November 30, 2010 edition of the Cumberland Times-News:
 

She served as area representative for the late State Senator William A. Wilson in the seventies and she was employed by Alcoa Metallurgical Division in New Kensington, Pa., for 13 years. She was managing editor of the "LaVale Suburbanite" which was sponsored by the LaVale Civic Improvement Association for 20 years and also served as a chairman and treasurer. She was instrumental in choosing the first Board of Directors to raise funds for the establishment of the LaVale Rescue Squad. She served as co-chairman in raising funds for a LaVale Library. She served as member and secretary of the Maryland Environmental Trust, member of the Western Maryland-West Virginia Citizens Environmental Coalition; chaired an Air Quality Workshop at ACC for the Environmental Protection Agency; consumer member and recorder of the Health Systems Agency of Western Maryland. She was recipient of PPG Community Service Award in 1967 and 1969, LaVale Lions Outstanding Citizen award 1971-1972; and received a certificate of Distinguished Citizenship from the State of Maryland, Governor Marvin Mandel.