Shirley Janice Kadden

October 5, 1928 - December 7, 2020

Shirley passed away peacefully on December 7 after a short illness. She was born in Oakland, the only child of Benjamin and Gertrude Hertzberg, on October 5, 1928 and spent her entire life in the Bay Area. She was a graduate of Oakland High School and University of California Berkeley with a major in Speech. She taught fourth grade before retiring to raise her children.

Shirley met and fell in love with Paul Kadden, also a Cal graduate; the two were marred for 67 years. She was a caring mother to Bruce ( Barbara z” l), Mark ( Michelle Lalouche) and Lori ( Mark) Epstein. She was an active volunteer, serving as President of Redwood Heights Elementary School PTA, Temple Sinai Sisterhood and Temple Emanuel Sisterhood. She was also a docent at the Temple Emanuel Museum, the Judah Magnes Museum and enjoyed giving presentations about their exhibits. She also served as regional president of ORT. After raising her children, she did substitute teaching and vision testing for the San Francisco School District.

Shirley and Paul enjoyed playing bridge, for many years with couples from Temple Sinai, and with other friends they made along the way. They also enjoyed theater, opera, and travelling, attending the annual gathering of the Council of American Jewish Museums, as well as Europe and Israel. They always tried to visit ORT schools in the places they travelled, make new friends, and bring home a few pieces of art.

Shirley and Paul led a healthy lifestyle before it was popular, often walking around Lake Merritt on Sunday mornings with family. They were also devoted Cal football fans, attending most home games for many years; Shirley enjoyed reminding family members that Cal went to the Rose Bowl three times when she was in school.

Shirley and Paul were long- time members of Temple Sinai in Oakland where Shirley was confirmed. They were active members of Temple Emanuel after moving to San Francisco and more recently Congregation B’nai Tikvah in Walnut Creek, but were often members of more than one congregation.

After moving to Rossmoor, they became involved with the many activities there and made many new friends.

In addition to her husband and children, Shirley is survived by her grandchildren Alana ( Jacob) Ballon, Micah Kadden, Daniel Kadden, and Sara, Julia and Hannah Epstein, and greatgrandchildren Matan and Liav Ballon.

Donations can be made to ORT or your favorite charity.