Pittsburgh Remembers Sophie Masloff

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Former Mayor Sophie Masloff was known for her personal touch with the people of Pittsburgh.

Unique, one of a kind, committed, a Pittsburghers – so many different ways to describe the people's mayor.

GALLERY: Sophie Masloff remembered in photos

"It was never about her," said former Chief of Staff Joe Mistick. "It was always about the people of the city. The people in need."

"I think she just tried to help the community as best she could," said Donna Belloma of Squirrel Hill.

As mayor, Masloff is credited with being the visionary behind PNC Park.

"She wanted us to have a baseball park years before we got one," said Rick Kalson of Fox Chapel. "So she knew what she was doing."

But Masloff was more than a baseball fan. A product of the Hill District, she was committed to her childhood neighborhood and wanted to see that community reborn again. That's how Crawford Square was born.

"That became a labor of love for her cabinet, for her staff members, when we saw how badly she wanted it," said Mistick.

"It meant something to her that her community should remain vibrant," said friend Dr. Cyril Wecht. "So when she moved ahead with downtown development, she recognized the need for the Hill District to be preserved, especially for the African American community."

Aside from developments all over town, it was her personal touch that set Masloff apart.

"I think about her personality," said James Tate of Squirrel Hill. "She was bubbly, she was a mother figure."

It would only seem fitting that the public that Sophie Masloff loved so dearly would get the chance to come say goodbye. So beginning Monday, a guest book with a portrait will be in the lobby of the City County Building. You will be able to sign the book, even leave a message as part of the farewell process.

"She was Pittsburgh," Mistick said. "Next to Pittsburgh in the dictionary, you could have a picture of Sophie and that would suffice."

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