Judge Lillian H. Podgorski

LILLIAN H. PODGORSKI: RETIRED TRAFFIC COURT JUDGE, CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
 

Lillian H. Podgorski, a retired traffic court judge for the City of Philadelphia, died Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Freedom Village at Brandywine in Coatesville PA.  She was 97.
 

Born in Philadelphia, Lillian was the daughter of the late Alexander and Clara Cherkas Husak.  One of five children, she was a graduate of Simon Gratz High School.  Lillian could be considered a Renaissance woman; her early career included: working for Paramount Studios; she was a beautician and cosmetologist; she was a manager for Gimbel's Beauty Salon; and she was also the Eastern Regional Manager for Seligman and Latz Beauty Salons.
 

Lillian married Stephen Podgorski on June 1, 1946 shortly after his discharge from the US Navy.  They lived in the Logan section of the city before moving to Northeast Philadelphia where they raised their family. 

Lillian was all in: Den mother for Cub Scouts; Little League team mother and Jardell Swim Team mother.  She was also politically active; she was a Democratic committee woman for over 30 years and was secretary for the 56th ward for 16 years.  She held leadership roles in various political and fundraising organizations for which she received multiple awards at both the state and national levels.  Along with the above she was active with the Seabee MU 565 (her husband's Navy unit), the 101st Airborne and the Police Chief's Association.  Lillian was also the Director of the PA Chapter of the National Judges Association.  
 

Lillian became the first woman elected as a Judge in Philadelphia Traffic court; she held that position for over 20 years.  She was also Traffic Court Administrator for 6 years.
During her tenure she attended Northwestern University in pursuit of Law and Judicial courses; Lillian also attended Judicial College in Reno, Nevada and took both Real Estate and Loan Officer courses.  She held licenses as a beautician and teacher in beauty culture and was a Real Estate agent and a Notary Public.
 

Lillian loved to read and her community library gave her hours of enjoyment; for this reason, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Honey Brook Community Library.  

Lillian is survived by her children: Michael (Marie James), Christine Michels (James) and Karen Taylor (Robert); 4 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her husband Stephen (Stephen died in 1997) and her siblings: Stephen, Victoria, Thomas and Alexander.

Her viewing will be held on Thursday from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home.  Requiem Services will be held at 12 noon.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Elkins Park, PA.  




 

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