Blyth Barnes Steere

Blyth Barnes Steere

Of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, formerly of South Drive in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on March 8, 2023. She is survived by her daughters, Blyth Bailey of Edina, Minnesota, and Margaret Steere of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her son Jamie Steere (Loretta Pursell) of Mill Valley, California; 2 grandchildren, Will Bailey, of New York, NY, and Blycie Bailey, of New York, NY; and her sister, Judy Barnes Luke (Bill Luke), of Vero Beach, FL and Kennet Square, PA.  She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years at the time of his death in 2017, Norman Mowry Steere, and her sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Barnes Halsted of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

Blyth spent her youth in Swarthmore and West Chester, PA.  After graduating from Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, she attended Dickinson College for one year before transferring to, and graduating from, Pembroke College (Brown University) in 1954.  Blyth and Norman met at Brown and married in 1955.  They spent brief stints in Cambridge, MA while Norman pursued his MBA at Harvard and in New Jersey, ultimately settling in Pittsburgh, PA where they raised their family.  

When Norman’s career at Mellon Bank afforded him the opportunity to work with the Bank of London and South America, Blyth orchestrated moving the Steere family, including two school-age children and a new baby, to Buenos Aires, Argentina from 1970 to 1972.  During her time in Buenos Aires, Blyth became so fluent in Spanish that upon the family’s return to Pittsburgh, she taught Spanish for Carnegie Library and Chatham College Community Programs.

Blyth served in leadership positions and on numerous boards over the years in Pittsburgh: President, Kingsley House Settlement Board; President, St. Margaret Hospital Dispensary Board; Director, St. Margaret Hospital Foundation; Co-Chair, Capital Fund Campaign for Brown University in Pittsburgh; and Member of National Alumni School Program for Brown University. She was also a member of various clubs, including Fox Chapel Golf Club, Rolling Rock Club, and Riomar (Vero Beach, Florida).  She was an excellent athlete who excelled in horseback riding, field hockey and lacrosse growing up, and enjoyed playing tennis and golf with her many friends in Pittsburgh and, in her adult years, in both Ocean Ridge and Vero Beach, Florida.

While Blyth’s lifetime accomplishments, strength, devotion to her family and contributions to the community are extraordinary, her love of life and delightful laugh and disposition are what everyone remembers most about her.  Blyth’s presence brought beauty and brightness everywhere she went.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Humane Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh mailed to HARP, Attention: Susan Wiedel, 6926 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15208. Please include a note as to the designation of these gifts "in memory of Blyth Barnes Steere".  Online donations can be made by clicking the donation button then tribute donations at www.humaneanimalrescue.org

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 10 a.m. at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

Arrangements by Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.