Romayne Lieber Sachs
Romayne Lieber Sachs
February 20, 1931 - December 22, 2010
Romayne Sachs, 79, of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., died Dec. 22, 2010, in Philadelphia after a seven-year struggle with lung cancer. She was born in Scranton, Pa., on Feb. 20, 1931.
A graduate of Scranton Central High School, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in political science, which formed the basis for her lifelong interest in local politics. In the ’50s, during the Clark/Dilworth era, she was the executive secretary for the Philadelphia Civil Service Commission; later she became active in Montgomery County politics, starting as a committeewoman in Lower Merion.
Throughout her adult life, Romayne also was an advocate for children. Her interest in early childhood education began when she was director of admissions at Oak Lane Day School and more recently was expressed in her work with Philadelphia Futures, where she was instrumental in developing an agenda to help youths from low-income families finish high school and enroll in college.
Romayne’s keen intellect, sense of humor and ability to accomplish whatever tasks were necessary brought her an ever-widening network of relationships. Friends knew her as a compassionate and caring person on whom they depended for advice and counsel. Her strong efforts in making a difference through political action brought her into contact with many organizations and people who worked for the vitality of the region. Romayne is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dr. David Sachs; her daughter, Jean, and her husband, John Knapich, and their son Max, of Philadelphia; her son, Paul, his wife, Barbara Ann Sachs, and their children, Amber, Camille, Chloe, Maren and Evie, of Steamboat Springs, and her sister, Lois, her husband Simon Leventhal and their three children, of Whippany, N.J.
A funeral service was private. A memorial service was held at 11:30 a.m. Monday in the auditorium at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine St. Contributions may be made to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 354 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 224, Haverford, PA 19041 or The Clay Studio, 139 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.
