J. Kratchman, businesswoman
Judie Kratchman, 74, of South Philadelphia, a teacher and businesswoman, died Saturday, Oct. 1, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Pennsylvania Hospital.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/M5RMNB4IXVAXDG4YAU4UOVN3UM.jpg)
Judie Kratchman, 74, of South Philadelphia, a teacher and businesswoman, died Saturday, Oct. 1, of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Ms. Kratchman was a cofounder in 1983 of BK Specialty Foods, a Philadelphia company that moved to Swedesboro four years ago. The firm started out with ice cream pushcarts. It now delivers fresh, frozen and dry products to hotels and restaurants from New York to Washington. She was its office manager.
"Judie was part of BK Specialty Foods from the beginning, and through her efforts and achievements helped the company grow into what it is today," the firm said on its website. "Judie was a compassionate, accomplished, generous, loving and kindhearted coworker, friend, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed."
Ms. Kratchman also had worked since the 1960s as a controller for Delaware Valley Fish Co. in Norristown, while serving full-time as a guidance counselor at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia's Spring Garden section.
She was credited with helping many inner-city students find the resources and inner strength to attend college, her family said.
"She was an incredible life coach, and a conduit for bringing people together," said son Brett. "Judie spent her life fighting for children's rights, women's rights, and anyone in need."
She started and ran the library skills project at McCall Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin High School. She was president of the McCall PTA for many years, and also taught English as a second language at the high school.
From 1983 to 2000, she was coach of the New Wave men's fast-pitch softball team, which is now run from a tavern at Third and Catharine Streets.
She was a registered professional scorekeeper, her family said. She enjoyed watching baseball.
Besides her son, she is survived by another son, Barry; a daughter, Karen Gold; seven grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.
She and Sheldon Kratchman divorced in 1974. He survives.
A life celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Congregation Beth El, 8000 Main St., Voorhees. Burial is private.
Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital via www.stjude.org.
610-313-8102