Loisanne Pfeifer Bilka

Loisanne Pfeifer Bilka, passed away on September 1, just short of her 93rd birthday. She was born on September 28,1931 to Lyla (Wirth) and Elmer Pfeifer in Pittsburgh, PA, where she and her two sisters were raised. Loisanne was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as an accomplished educator.

After graduating from South Hills High School in 1949, she married the love of her life, William (Bill) Bilka, with whom she raised two daughters, Betsy and Bonnie. While raising her family, Loisanne attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned a bachelor’s and master's degree. In 1971, she (with the help of her two young research assistants) earned a PhD in Education.

Her professional career spanned from being a second-grade teacher to becoming a college professor and teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, the California University of Pennsylvania, Carlow College, and Duquesne University. After leaving higher education, she established her own consulting business, serving school districts throughout the Pittsburgh area and extending her impact as a specialist in reading education. She also tutored children individually.

Though a trailblazer professionally, Loisanne prioritized her family. Her love for Bill, the girls, and later her grandchildren, was fierce. It was important to her to have a comfortable home, a place where dinner was routine (she was a great cook) and where friends and family could gather. She also loved to sew, making the girls’ prom dresses and wedding gowns. Later in life, she embroidered hundreds of faces on teddy bears made by women from her church to donate to various charities. 

Loisanne was active in the Presbyterian church throughout her life. She taught Sunday School, led various youth groups with Bill, and was active in Presbyterian Women. After she and Bill moved to be closer to their grandchildren, they joined the Northwood Presbyterian Church in Clearwater, FL, and over the years, she served as an Elder and member of the Schools and Scholarship Committees. 

Loisanne believed the old adage that “there is no free gate to anything worthwhile.” She had high standards and an unmatched determination to accomplish whatever she set her mind to. Her soft spots were good books, teddy bears, and ice cream.

Loisanne is survived by her two sisters, Phyllis (Edgar) Bates and Lyla (Harry) Healey; her daughters, Betsy (David) Balmer and Bonnie (Hugh) Gorman; her grandchildren Melissa (James) Brown and James Balmer; and, her great grandson, Bruce Brown. Her husband, Bill, preceded her in death.

A celebration of Loisanne’s life will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 1:00 PM. Donations in her memory can be made to the Northwood Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 2875 FL-580, Clearwater, FL 3376.

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