Shirley Hannah Kraft

In Loving Memory of Shirley Hannah Kraft (1926-2023)

Shirley Kraft, of Kendal at Longwood, formerly of Elkins Park, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, friend  died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2023 at the age of 97. Born in Olean, NY, Shirley was a 1944 graduate of Olean High School.  

Shirley dedicated her life to nurturing her two daughters, who brought her immeasurable joy. She took great pride in her grandchildren and her cherished great-grandchildren.

After earning a BA in social work from Temple University while her daughters were in high school she pursued a career in social work for the Colonial School District, where she made a positive impact on countless childrens' lives before retiring at the age of 65.

No stranger to adversity, Shirley's first husband, Richard Weingrad, died in a plane crash when Shirley was only 47.  She lost her second husband, Victor Kraft, to Alzheimers.

In her final two decades, she enjoyed a committed, loving relationship with Robert McKinstry who predeceased her by just one day. Together, Shirley and Bob shared a love of family, travel, tennis, dancing, water volleyball and playing bridge.  Each personified the highest ideals of individual character and the epitome of what a relationship can aspire to be, serving as an inspiration for us all.

Ms. Kraft is survived by two daughters, Ms. Lois Beserra of Atlanta and Dr. Tina Stein of Bar Harbor and Jacksonville Beach, four grandchildren and two great-grandsons. 

A memorial service to celebrate Shirley's life will be held on Jan. 19, 2024 at 1:30 pm in the Kendal Auditorium and on Zoom.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Anti-defamation League https://support.adl.org/give/174715/#!/donation/checkout or the Kendal Employee Appreciation Fund https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E362478&id=1 in Shirley's honor.

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