Ellen Radday

1937 - 2016

Ellen (Kruger) Radday

Died peacefully July 3, 2016, in Arlington, VA. Ellen was born in 1937 to Carl and Vera (Sommers) Kruger of San Francisco, where she attended St. Cecilia's School, Presentation HS, and Lone Mountain College (BA); she earned her MSW at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and worked in family counseling and adoptions at Catholic Charities in Arlington.

In 1961, Ellen married the late Harold Franz Radday of Brooklyn, and accompanied him throughout his Foreign Service career; she raised their three children in seven posts in Africa and Europe, was active in embassy communities and the children's schools, and served as Community Liaison Officer in Bonn, Germany. Upon return to Virginia, she worked as a chaplain at Holy Cross Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital and Manor Care Nursing Home, and was a passionate advocate for social justice and church reform.

Preceded in death by brother, Peter, and sister, Dolores (Rodriguez). Survived by children Michael (Sherri), Elizabeth (Richard Starr) and Jeanne Marie (Sana Georges); grandchildren Nicholas, Victoria, Melissa and Sophia; and in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be held August 31 at 11 a.m., at St. Ann Catholic Church in Arlington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ellen's name to Mary's Pence (www.maryspence.org).