Sylvia Jean Swasta

Sylvia Jean Swasta, 70, of 1120 Market St., Apt. 509, Meadville, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2010.
Sylvia was born in Punxsutawney on June 3, 1940, a daughter of the late Elizabeth (Checots) Calista and Alan C. Byerly.
In March, 1956, Sylvia married John E. Mayberry; he preceded her in death in 1990. She subsequently married John J. Swasta; he survives.
Sylvia had been employed by Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community as a Certified Nurses Aide for ten years. She attended Meadville schools. In 1967 Sylvia was honored to have received the Carneige Medal of Heroism Award. At age 27 she was credited with saving the lives of four children when she noticed flames in the two story frame dwelling next door to her home. As she approached the burning home, she directed two of the children to safety as they explained that their brother and sister were still inside and their mother was not home. Entering the burning dining room, Sylvia reached into an enclosed stairway, where she found the young boy. After sending the boy out by way of the kitchen door, Sylvia ran up the stairs into a bedroom directly above the area in which the fire had begun. Through increasing flames, Sylvia found the four year old girl and carried her down the stairs, passing within three feet of the spreading flames in the dining room, through the kitchen and emerged from the burning dwelling with the young girl. Firemen soon arrived to find the children safe and unbeknown to the children, their mother had been home and had succumbed to smoke. In the eyes of many Sylvia was a true heroine. Her hobbies included doing needlepoint, crafts and playing B.I.N.G.O.
Sylvia is survived by four children Kenneth Joseph Mayberry and his wife Karen of W. Springfield, Ricky Allen Mayberry and his wife Tracey of Dallas, GA, John Edward Mayberry, Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Selma, NC, Mark Earl Mayberry and his wife Leanna of Greenville, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, three sisters Deborah J. Espinoza of Selma, NC, Beverly Rose Wilson of Safety Harbor, FL, Janet Edwards of Middlesex, NC, special friends Connie Kilfoyle, neighbor, Susan Watts, Nurse, several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her first husband, John E. Mayberry of 34 years, Sylvia was preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth Calista, her father Alan C. Byerly, her step father John J. Simonetta, two brothers Bud Byerly and infant LeRoy Byerly.
At the familys request there will be no visitation.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Special Olympics of Crawford County, 222 Chestnut St. or American Cancer Society, 505 Poplar St., both of Meadville, PA 16335.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335.
Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com