Linda Sue Katz

Linda Sue Katz, aged 77, passed away from an aggressive and fast-moving cancer of unknown primary origin on January 18, 2025, in her home in Center City Philadelphia, PA. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, friend, neighbor, and force for good in the world.

Linda was born on June 18, 1947, in Boston, MA, to Mildred “Millie” (née Weiner) and Charles Rosenblatt. She grew up in Malden and Medford, surrounded by extended family, many who lived on the same street and even in the same house as her.

Linda was a dedicated reader and strong student who spent her school years writing papers for her college-student brother and serving as editor-in-chief for an award-winning school newspaper.

She attended the University of Pennsylvania undergrad, where she met the love of her life: Elkan Katz. The two were married in 1968. Linda went on to graduate Penn in 1969 and get a Masters in Library Science from Drexel University in 1970.

Linda’s first job was at the Wolfsohn Memorial Library in King of Prussia (now known as the Upper Merion Township Library) where she became the first ever woman to be named library director in 1973.

Five years later, Linda went back to Penn for her MBA from The Wharton School. She completed the prestigious program while pregnant and raising her newborn daughter. Linda chose to combine her MBA with her love of books and her drive to make the world a better place. She founded and produced a series of nonprofit ventures, including a book-sharing organization called “Rainbow Readers,” a puppet-based children’s radio program called “Kidwaves,” a read-aloud modeling radio program starring then first-lady Barbara Bush called “Mrs. Bush’s Storytime,” and a massive book fair called “Children’s Expo.”

Linda built on all of these successes to ultimately found the Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a nonprofit that provides supplies and training to improve literacy rates in low-income classrooms. CLI continues to do important work to this day and has been recognized by past U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for its enduring impact.

Linda loved opera, musicals, and the symphony. Many of her favorite times were spent on Martha’s Vineyard vacationing with family and friends. In her free time, she championed equity and justice causes and volunteered for local political organizing. She also enjoyed auditing classes at Penn and watching high art films and trashy reality tv.

More than anything, Linda was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, who would do anything for her loved ones. When her husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010, she immediately retired and devoted her life to caring for him. She gave her daughter decades of unconditional love and an uncountable amount of happy memories. When her granddaughters were born, she served as a critical and unfailing source of love, support, and ice cream.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and brothers Burton Rhodes and Steven Rosenblatt. She is survived by her daughter Rachel (David) and granddaughters Lyla and Hazel Darwin. She will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 3:00-6:00pm at The Philadelphia Ethical Society on Rittenhouse Square, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.