SYLVIA DEUTSCH

DEUTSCH--The Hon. Sylvia. The Hon. Sylvia Deutsch, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, passed away on June 21, 2021, at the age of 96. Mrs. Deutsch retired in 1990 after serving as Chair of the New York City Planning Commission and Director of City Planning, the first woman ever to do so. Previously, she was Chair of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals from 1981 to 1987 and a member of the City Planning Commission from 1972 to 1981. Prior to that, she was tapped by the Mayor in 1969 to create and lead the first-ever proportional representation elections for New York City school boards, and served for many years in several leadership roles with the American Jewish Congress. She began her career as a local PTA President, a leader of the United Parent- Teachers Association, and as a community and public education activist. She was a force of nature, rising quickly to leadership positions in every organization she volunteered for. Sylvia graduated Brooklyn College in 1946, where she met her husband, Leon. She was born in Brooklyn, where she resided until retiring to New Jersey in 2010. As newlyweds, she and Leon took classes together in Hebrew so she could participate more actively in religious services, and joined Young Judea to support the State of Israel. She was active in Jewish causes her entire adult life. Sylvia was a lover of natural beauty and history, and cherished (and, of course, planned and organized) her travels all over the world with Leon, keeping detailed diaries of every trip they took. As a young mother, she organized regular family educational car trips to tour historic sights and notable attractions. As a grandmother, she and Leon recreated those wonderful trips with her grandchildren. She enjoyed classical music, show tunes, Broadway, ballet, and opera, and took full advantage of the rich cultural resources of New York City. Sylvia's beloved husband of 73 years, Leon, passed away in June 2020. She is survived by her sons Jack, of Staten Island, New York, Nathaniel, of Washington, DC, and Jeremy, of Bayside, New York, and her grandchildren, Steven, Lauren, Alexander, Jason, and Russell. May her memory be a blessing.