Edith S. Chernicoff's Obituary
Edith Chernicoff was born in 1916 and was raised by a single father (POP)
whose portrait adorned her room her entire life. Although her family years
were those of struggle through the depression, her stories only described
happy times with her father Isadore Salkind, brother Leon of blessed
memory and sister, Thelma. She married our father, Eugene Smith, who served overseas in WWII.
Eileen was born 9 months following his discharge, Gerry 3 years later.
Unfortunately, she was widowed when Eileen was 7 and Gerry 4, where it
was determined that his death was related to his military service.
At a young age, Edith was on her own with two small children and it was
necessary to move her family into a low income Philadelphia Housing
Project. She immediately learned to drive and secured a job as a
bookkeeper. Edith demonstrated courage and resilience throughout.
Her children never heard her cry or complain. As a new driveer, she was
not very daring, skipped expressway and figured how to navigate all the
back roads, especially on her regular weekend visits to her sister’s home in Wallingford, Pa. Although Edith was not raised in a religious home, and although finances were difficult, it was very important for her to join Brith Israel Synagogue and enrolled Eileen and Gerry in Hebrew School. Other activities included
Girl Scouts, Cub scouts, and synagogue youth clubs and piano lessons.
In 1960, 6 years after Eugene’s passing, Edith married Ben Chernicoff and
Eileen and Gerry inherited their loving sister Ann, Ben’s daughter. Gerry
was adopted and Ben later escorted Eileen down the aisle in her marriage
to Jack A. Danton, at the extravagant wedding he arranged as he
personally chose the elite venue, kosher caterer and multi piece band.
Beth, and Gerry’s son, Ben were all named in honor of their beloved step
father. Unfortunately, Edith was widowed again after 16 years of marriage to Ben. She was a very dedicated grandmother helping to care for Gary until the age of two while Eileen taught school and continued to entertain Marc and Jessica , Anne’s children, who flew in every summer from San Diego.
Edith made a point to fly to Oklahoma, three times for the birth of each of Gerry’s children, Ben, David and Sarah. She was an active volunteer for
many charities. Edith served as PATRIOT, for a women’s masonic
organization, Sylvania Link Order of the Golden Chain, volunteer at the
Shriner’s Hospital and served many years as PRESIDENT of the Minerva
Kuntz Auxiliary of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation as well as Treasurer of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans, all charitable
organizations for which she received many awards.
As mentioned, her family was the backbone of her life. Mother to Ann,
Eileen and Gerry. Grandmother of Marc, Jessica, Gary, Beth, Julie,
Ben, David and Sarah and their spouses who were of equal great joy,
Meryle, Mallory,Todd, Robyn, Matt, Colin, Brynn, Michelle and Brandon.
Great Grandmother to Coby, Eliana, Ryan, Nolan, Adan, and Alexander.
Sister to Thelma Goldberg. Devoted Aunt to Marvin and Bobby Goldberg
and Edward Salkind. Everyone was charmed by her soft smile, warmth, humility, sense humor and love.
What’s your fondest memory of Edith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edith?
Share a story where Edith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edith you’ll never forget.
How did Edith make you smile?