Julie Currie
June 22, 1947– December 19, 2025
One of the founding members of our Giving Circle
On December 19, we lost a true friend of the Giving Circle. Julie Currie was one of five visionary leaders who created the TTN Giving Circle more than 13 years ago.
The Giving Circle was an important part of Julie’s life for many years. Members of the Grants Committee and Executive Council valued her insight and her deep knowledge of the nonprofits serving women and children in Philadelphia. After the Senior Law Center and Why Not Prosper received Giving Circle grants in 2019 and 2021, both organizations benefited further from Julie’s dedication as a passionate, knowledgeable volunteer and board member.
Julie was also one of the original members of the Advocates for Equity committee when it was formed by the Women’s Connection Philadelphia chapter. She helped launch the chapter’s involvement in the national “Unpacking Whiteness” program, as well as the Allyship program. As an integral member of the national Women’s Connection racial justice task force, Julie worked tirelessly to create programs that encouraged members to engage in experiences that increased awareness and sensitivity to racial and social justice issues.
In 2026, Advocates for Equity will introduce and promote several programs and projects in Julie’s memory, carrying forward her dedication to education and social justice. Julie will be deeply missed by the many people who worked with her, learned from her, and cherished her friendship.
Jane Siegel
April 17, 1945 - April 14, 2025
Member of our Giving Circle since 2014
Jane Barbara Siegel (née Swaine), of Bala Cynwyd, PA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 14, 2025. She was born on April 17, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, to Albert and Gladys Swaine.
Jane graduated from Temple University and went on to build a long and successful career in the fashion industry, working as an independent manufacturer's sales representative for various handbag companies. After retiring, she devoted time to volunteering for several charitable organizations.
A natural beauty with an impeccable eye for style, Jane had a presence that lit up every room. Her elegance was always paired with warmth, strength, and a grounded kindness that made her unforgettable to all who met her.
A devoted mother to Cristi and Chad, Jane worked tirelessly to provide her children with a life full of love and opportunity. She raised her family with fierce devotion-never missing a chance to be with them-while balancing motherhood with a thriving business career. In 1983, she married the love of her life, Michael Siegel, with whom she built a beautiful life filled with laughter, shared values, and cherished traditions.
Jane had a remarkable talent for creating beauty in everything she touched-from hosting exquisite holiday dinners and curating stylish wardrobes to planning unforgettable international vacations with Michael and special outings with her adoring grandchildren.
She was a force-graceful yet powerful, with high standards and deep compassion. Her life was a celebration of elegance, family, and joy.
Chrissa Merron
May 4, 1941– March 31, 2025
One of the founding members of our Giving Circle
Chrissa was a good friend to so many of us. Her energy, enthusiasm, contagious sense of humor and genuine interest in the world and other people drew others to her. She was an avid traveler, voracious reader, passionate Phillies fan, and she knew the words to every Broadway tune that was ever written.
As an organizational development professional, Chrissa focused primarily on team effectiveness, organizational change, strategic planning, coaching and leadership development. Her career spanned more than thirty years, and her employers included Thomas Jefferson University, Chase Manhattan Bank and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2013, she received a major award for her exceptional service and dedication to the organizational development field.
Facing retirement, Chrissa discovered The Transition Network (now called Women's Connection) and quickly immersed herself in our world. She joined what was then known as the “Northwest Day” peer group in 2013 and was with her group when they met last month. Chrissa became a member of the Philadelphia Steering Committee, creating and chairing the Leadership Engagement and Development (LED) Committee. She was an original member of the Giving Circle and joined the TTN National Board of Directors in 2013, serving as Board Vice President and chairing the Communications Committee.
Chrissa was also featured in our September 2022 newsletter. She touched many lives, and will be dearly missed.
Linda Sue Katz
June 18, 1947 - January 18, 2025
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.