Deborah Bradley, 72, popular figure in West Philadelphia
As block captain, she ran cleanup campaigns, and took care of the needy.
DEBORAH BRADLEY was close to her niece, Jean Morgan, who lives in Virginia Beach, Va.
They talked on the phone every day, conversations that lasted hours. Deborah, a popular figure in her West Philadelphia neighborhood, lived alone and might have been a little lonely. But she looked forward to her chats with her niece.
Then on Jan. 21, Jean wasn't able to get her aunt on the phone. No answer at her number. Jean kept trying into the next day, to no avail.
She finally called Deborah's brother, Floyd Bradley, who sent his son, Kenneth Felton, to check on his sister.
Kenneth went to her house on Jan. 22 and discovered her body. She apparently had died on Jan. 21, possibly of a heart attack. She was 72.
"She had been to see a cardiologist," her brother said.
Deborah Bradley did clerical work for about 20 years for the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. She retired at age 56.
She lived in the 400 block of N. 53rd St., where she was active as block captain. She directed cleanup projects and other community activities.
Her group of neighbors took dinners to the police at Christmas, and were always there to help the sick, the shut-ins and anybody else in need.
Deborah was also a member of Town Watch, keeping her neighborhood safe from crime.
"She was always into something," her brother said. "She was very outgoing. She didn't hesitate to tell you what was on her mind. She'd let you know it."
Deborah loved animals and always had pet dogs. She was also active with shelters, eager to make sure the animals were well cared for.
She was born in Philadelphia, the youngest of the seven children of Charles T. Bradley and Mary Peyton Bradley. She graduated from West Catholic High School and went to work at the shipyard.
She is survived by her brother and nieces and nephews.
Services: Were being arranged.