Sylvia Ann Leftrict was born March 9, 1939, in Colp, Illinois. She was the oldest child of Robert and Dardenella Maiden. She was blessed with a sister Roberta and a brother, Darnell.

Sylvia spent many summers during her youth with her maternal grandparents in Colp, Illinois. Throughout her life, the summers in Colp remained some of her most treasured memories. As the oldest child in her nuclear family, these summers gave her the gift of being “the baby” among her many uncles, aunts and grandparents. Many of these aunts and uncles became her closest and most trusted friends. She felt cherished, loved and always included during these summers.

Sylvia was a debutante on her way to graduating from Dunbar High School in 1955.

Sylvia met the love of her life, Fred Theodore Leftrict Sr., in Colp, Illinois. They were both visiting relatives in Colp who happened to be neighbors. The two families were excited to see them fall in love and marry on January 30, 1960, in Dayton, Ohio. They were blessed to celebrate 61 anniversaries before Fred went from labor to reward in 2021.

Sylvia and Fred were blessed with three children, and they ensured the kids had plenty to do while growing up.

Sylvia was the troop leader for the neighborhood Blue Birds group. The Blue Birds were the group for young girls that would go on to become Campfire Girls. As a troop leader she would host young girls in the family home and mentor them, setting them on the path to someday becoming wonderful, strong young women. Denise’s lifelong friendship with Amy Maddox began in Blue Birds.

In their lifelong marriage and partnership, there were many years when Fred worked long hours as he pursued career success. During these times, Sylvia would make sure the children were supported and got to their extracurricular activities on time. One summer, all three children played baseball/softball. Teddy and Wayne were at First Dayton Little League and Denise played in the Miss Softball America league. Out of 48 total games, Sylvia drove up and down Gettysburg Ave to see and cheer at all or parts of 42 games! In addition to her cheering and transportation duties, Sylvia volunteered at the First Dayton concession stand, working alongside other parents to cook and sell delicious hamburgers and hot dogs to raise funds for the league.

When all the children were in school for full days, Sylvia volunteered at Residence Park Elementary School. She made such a difference that she was soon asked to become a paid member of the staff, working in the library and assisting in the classroom. Long before anyone began using terms like “entrepreneurship” or “side hustle”, Sylvia’s innate creativity allowed her to successfully develop and sell a wide variety of products. She made caftans from terrycloth that featured African-inspired designs, sand paintings in glass jars and bottles and beaded keychains to list just a few.  

Sylvia’s friendship with Pauline Tellefere was a blessed constant in her life for more than 60 years. They met when Freddie and Tee were attending Central State University and working at the Post Office. The friends talked daily and shared numerous experiences, including marathon shopping trips on Downtown Dayton Days, Christmases, New Year’s and a trip to Hawaii. It was on the trip to Hawaii that Sylvia first encountered muumuus. The beautiful free-flowing garments became a permanent fixture in her wardrobe.

Anyone that had the opportunity to sample Sylvia’s cooking knew what it was to taste love on a spoon. Her dinners and desserts were a fixture in the daily lives of her family and a highlight of countless holidays. Teddy’s college friends Ramsey and John were always excited to be invited to take a seat at the Leftrict Sunday dinner table. Wayne and Denise’s friends enjoyed dishes and treats throughout the year. Freddie was always quick to say that more than one of his promotions was helped along by Sylvia’s distinguished desserts – she would prepare carrot cake, pecan pie, pound cake and fudge for multiple shifts of postal staff members during the holidays.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Fred Leftrict Sr. She is survived by her children Fred Theodore Leftrict Jr. (Linda), Denise Angela Leftrict, Wayne Robert Leftrict (Pamela); four grandchildren Brandyn Leftrict (Amber), Denisha Norman (Michael), Wayne Leftrict Jr., and Paul Leftrict; five great grandchildren (Brandyn & Amber Leftrict) Michael, Anthony, Sophia, Luke, Liam and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

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