KRAINA GHEN

Kraina Shamof Ghen passed away peacefully at Simpson House, 2101 Belmont Avenue, on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of 90. Kraina is survived by her children Martin Ghen, Gregory Ghen, Dina Ghen, and Naomi Trachtenberg; her grandchildren Jamie Kendall, Stacey Donahue, David Ghen, Michael Ghen, Matthew Ghen, Evan Ghen, Katie Simpson, Josh Ghen, and step grandchildren Julie Garcias and Colin Butts; and her great-grandchildren Willem Ghen, Elsbeth Ghen, Isabelle Ghen, Olivia Ghen, Jacob Ghen, Landon Donahue and Julianna Rae Donahue and step great-grandchild Rio Garcias. She is preceded in death by her husband David M. Ghen, parents Wily Shamof and Anna Shamof, her sister Bess Ruttenberg, her brother Leonard Shamof, and her nephew Alan Vacks. Kraina was born on June 25, 1926 in Chester, Pennsylvania, to Wily and Anna Shamof. She graduated from Chester High School in 1943, being the first student to win a full scholarship from the Kiwanis Club to University of Pennsylvania. She graduated University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. Kraina was accomplished at being politically active, volunteered at the polls for many years, and held the position of President of the League of Women Voters. She was a Participant representing Pennsylvania at the Secretary's Regional Conference on Vocational Education in 1971 and she played a key role in establishing the Good Judges for Philadelphia Organization in 1973. She was a generous and dedicated individual who loved reading books and oil painting, and always increased her own knowledge by taking classes in law, language, art, and aerobics. She was passionate about making sure that all children had the opportunity to a quality education. She was active in the early stages of the Head Start Program which was then referred to as the Get Set Program initiated by President Johnson.
A funeral is scheduled for Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 10 AM at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, 1200 Bartram Avenue, Darby (Collingdale), Pa. 19023. Rabbi Bradley Bleefeld, will officiate the graveside service. A brunch for guests will follow at Springfield Diner, 720 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, Pa. 19064. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to National Organization for Women, 1100 H Street, North West, Suite#300, Washington, D.C. 20005. Condolences can be sent to http://www.goldsteinsfuneral.com. The family of Kraina Ghen would like to thank the staff at Simpson House, 2101 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19131 for their compassion, care, and dedication.