Pearl Dranoff, mother of developer Carl Dranoff, dies at 91

Pearl Dranoff, 91, of Northeast Philadelphia, mother of the developer Carl Dranoff, died Monday, July 29, of a stroke at the Abramson Center for Jewish Life in North Wales.

Born, raised, and married in South Philadelphia, Mrs. Dranoff had her first son, Steven, while husband Albert was serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

After his return in 1945, the family moved to Oxford Circle, where Carl was born.

Mrs. Dranoff, the former Pearl Dubin, was a typical mother of the 1950s; she stayed home, kept house, and reared the children. Her husband ran a dry cleaning business.

Mrs. Dranoff set high standards for her children, and encouraged straight A's and achievements in sports and leadership, her family said.

She always told her sons to straighten up and "fly right," said Carl Dranoff.

"It was, mother knows best," he said. "They just have that impact on your life."

Steven grew up to be a Philadelphia lawyer specializing in personal-injury cases, and Carl has projects in Philadelphia and across the nation.

Once the children left home, Mrs. Dranoff worked as a saleswoman and manager for a jewelry store in Northeast Philadelphia.

"It didn't hurt that she loved jewelry and with her flowing red hair made quite the showcase for the store," her family said in a statement. "She was perfectly coiffed and never missed a beauty parlor appointment, even if it was a blizzard outside."

Her husband died years ago, and Steven early last year.

In addition to her son, she is survived by a sister, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held Wednesday, July 31, at Montefiore Cemetery, Jenkintown.

Contributions may be made to the Abramson Center for Jewish Life, 1425 Horsham Rd., North Wales, Pa. 19454.