News

Court Administrator, Nancy M. Sobolevitch passes at 63

December 26, 2001

HARRISBURG, December 27, 2001 — Nancy M. Sobolevitch (nee Mayberry), 63, of Berwyn, died yesterday evening of complications related to a liver-kidney transplant she received in August. Mrs. Sobolevitch was the first woman, non-lawyer to be appointed Court Administrator of Pennsylvania by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. She took office as the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania's unified judicial system on March 31, 1986, retiring January 2, 2000. She served longer than any of her predecessors. While state Court Administrator, significant advances in the administration of justice took place in Pennsylvania’s courts. Notable among them was development and successful installation of the first integrated minor court computer system of its size in the nation. That system electronically linked the Commonwealth’s 550 district justices and for the first time provided them with modern office, financial management and case management tools. It also served as the basis for the Pennsylvania judiciary’s initial participation in broader state government, automation integration efforts. Also during her tenure, first phase implementation occurred in the long effort to unify Pennsylvania’s courts. She was actively involved in many court-related organizations, having served as vice president of the board of the National Center for State Courts and president of the Conference of State Court Administrators. Prior to her appointment as state Court Administrator, Mrs. Sobolevitch served as the executive assistant to the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, K. Leroy Irvis, for seven years. She was deputy director of the Governor's Energy Council from 1975-1978. Prior to that she had been community coordinator at West Philadelphia Corp. and earlier had served in development and administrative positions in several Philadelphia and New York City hospitals. A Pennsylvania native, she received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Robert; a daughter and son-in-law, Rob and SAS Becker, both of Berwyn; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Laura of Yardley; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be private. A memorial service for family, friends, and colleagues will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Surrey Services for Seniors, 28 Bridge Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312.