Edith Seidman, 95, businesswoman

Edith Seidman, 95, of Philadelphia, a businesswoman who with her husband operated a hardware store in Kensington for 37 years, died Saturday, Jan. 3, of kidney failure at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life.

In 1946, Mrs. Seidman and her husband, Isadore "Ed" Seidman, opened a paint store at Kensington Avenue and Ontario Street.

The business soon evolved into Seidman Supply Co., a hardware store that Mrs. Seidman ran with her husband and their son, Elliott.

Mrs. Seidman and her husband retired in 1983, and their son ran the store until the mid-1990s, when it was sold. The business remains in operation. Isadore Seidman died in 2000 at age 81.

A Philadelphia native, Mrs. Seidman lived in South Philadelphia and Strawberry Mansion as a girl. She graduated from South Philadelphia High School. She was active in selling bonds during World War II.

When the Seidmans opened the store, they moved into an apartment above the business in Kensington. Mrs. Seidman also spent time in Florida and, finally, North Wales.

Mrs. Seidman was president of the Sisterhood of the Kensington Synagogue and Community Center for many years and participated in amateur theater.

Despite losing a leg to circulatory problems in December 2001 and the other leg later, she remained active and engaged in life. She worked hard to stay independent, her sons, Paul and Elliott, said.

"It was amazing. We never knew much courage she had in her until after our father died," they said.

In 2003, she was given a Woman of the Year Award by ORT for her fund-raising efforts.

In 2013, she became president of the residents at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life in North Wales. While there, she learned to use a computer, sang in the choir, sewed hats for cancer patients, and greeted newcomers.

She provided many photographs and recollections for The Jewish Community Under the Frankford El, a 2003 book by A. Meyers and C. Nathans.

Surviving, in addition to her sons, are five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks, 310 Second Street Pike, Southampton. Interment will follow at Montefiore Cemetery.

Donations be made to the Abramson Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Rd., North Wales, Pa. 19454.