Edith Toll | Jewish-life volunteer, 94

Edith Toll, a tireless volunteer in several Jewish organizations, died Tuesday, one day before her 95th birthday, of a blood disorder at her Center City home.

The former Edith Levyn was raised in the Logan section of the city. She graduated in 1931 from Simon Gratz High School and studied for two years at Charles Morris Price School of Advertising.

She married Albert Toll in 1936, and they raised two sons in Oxford Circle. Her husband died in 1986.

"She was the most benevolent person, beautiful on the inside and the outside," said daughter-in-law Susan Toll. "She opened her arms and embraced people."

Mrs. Toll always wore high heels and white gloves and carried a starched linen handkerchief.

Mrs. Toll devoted her life to Jewish causes. She was a founder and president of Temple Sholom on Roosevelt Boulevard, head of the Philadelphia branch of the Women's League for Conservative Judaism, past president the Philadelphia Juniors of the City of Hope, and a charter and life member of Northwood Hadassah. Mrs. Toll was a leader of the keynoter's committee of the Federation Allied Jewish Appeal Campaign, chairwoman of the Northeast Advisory Committee of the Jewish Family Service and a member of its board, as well as the boards of HIAS and Dropsie University. Mrs. Toll was honored with the Masada Award by the State of Israel Bonds in 1974. She was a member of Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel congregation in Center City.

Mrs. Toll is survived by sons Brent and L. Richard; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a sister.

A funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks Suburban North, 310 Second St. Pike, Southampton. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed through Sunday.

Donations may be sent to the Jewish Family Service, 2100 Arch St., Fifth Floor, Philadelphia 19103.