Algie Pratt Streat, 95, a life of many interests

Algie Pratt Streat, 95, of South Philadelphia, whose passions in life were socializing, traveling, and gardening, died Thursday, May 16, of late-stage dementia at Simpson House in Philadelphia.

Born in Sumter, S.C., she moved as a child with her family to Swampoodle in North Philadelphia, near the old Shibe Park.

The family joined A.M.E. Union Church, where Mrs. Streat remained a member for 75 years, serving on the missionary and steward boards. She graduated from William Penn High School for Girls.

Mrs. Streat married Edward Streat on July 7, 1944. They lived at 18th and Reed Streets in South Philadelphia. He died 10 years ago.

Mrs. Streat worked as a self-employed beautician and later spent 24 years as a library assistant with the City of Philadelphia.

She loved to read and had a wealth of knowledge on many topics. She also loved to talk and was nicknamed "Chatty Cathy" by family.

Relatives said she was always upbeat and had the ability to light up a room with her presence, despite being blind in one eye and coping with a hearing impairment.

She and some high school friends formed "Club Revere," a social group that met monthly at members' homes. The friends shared feasts and went on trips and to plays.

Mrs. Streat also traveled with her sisters and friends to Canada, Hawaii, Portugal, Mexico, and the 1982 World's Fair in Tennessee. Her last trip, several years ago, was a cruise to the Caribbean with her daughter Edalgia.

Mrs. Streat loved flowers and, with the help of neighbors, formed the 18th Street Garden Club. She used various things as containers for her plants - including an old bathtub left over from a home renovation.

She had the tub moved to the backyard and planted flowers in it. "It looked great," her daughter said.

At age 75, she took up piano. She took the bus once a week, from South Philadelphia to the Settlement Music School in Germantown, for lessons.

"Hymns have helped me all through life, since I was 4, 5 years old," she told the Philadelphia Daily News in 1993, as she held up a hymnal. "All I want to do is be able to open this book to any page, and play."

Surviving, in addition to her daughter, are another daughter, Dennise; a grandson, Dennis H. Edward; two sisters; five nieces; and five nephews. Three sisters already died.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, at A.M.E. Union Church, 1614 W. Jefferson St., Philadelphia. A viewing at the church will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in Northwood Cemetery, 15th and Haines Streets.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.mayfuneralhome.com.