Sylvia "Memum" Gange

Sylvia Gange passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, at the age of 92 in Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community. Born on February 7, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she graduated from St. Benedict’s Academy and earned her nursing diploma from Pittsburgh Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Her yearbook described her as opinionated, vibrant, and petite—a good thing in a little package. She met her husband, Joseph “Joe” Gange, at her nursing formal dance, and they married on June 20, 1955.

After graduation, Sylvia worked in the obstetrical unit at Divine Providence Hospital until the birth of her oldest daughter, Rose Ann. As her family grew to include another daughter and two sons, she devoted herself to her home and to cooking for her loved ones. She later worked for more than 25 years as an OB/Gyn nurse in the office of Dr. Lawrence H. Madden, retiring in 1993.

Sylvia and Joe shared 68 and a half years of marriage filled with travel to visit family, cruises, and church bus trips. A lifelong member of St. Gregory’s Church, she belonged to St. Ann’s Guild for over 30 years and looked forward each year to working in the white elephant tent at the parish festival. She took special pride in her seven grandchildren, who knew her affectionately as Memum. Together with PapPap, she spent countless hours cheering at their sporting events, dance recitals, band and choir concerts, and hockey games—often heard above the crowd yelling “Go Quigley” while ringing her bell.

A gifted cook and baker, Sylvia was happiest when feeding family and friends. Her kitchen was always ready with one of her five well-used bundt pans and a fresh cake or pan of brownies on the counter. She is survived by her children, Rose Ann (Rick), Joann, Joe (Chris), and Michael (Tracy); her seven grandchildren, Melissa, Corey (Ariel), Kyle (Kaitlin), Chad (Brittany), Juliana (Dan), Anthony (Amber), and Nicholas; and her great-grandson Aiden. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents Sam and Rose Vazzana, her sisters Mayme, Mary Rose, and Dolores, and her great-granddaughter Rayne.