Jan 8, 2018

Obituary: Josie Zelov

RIP.  Josie Zelov, along with her husband Randy (deceased, 2008), as concerned parents became involved with the Personal Freedom Association (PFA), Philadelphia in the early 1970s. PFA was a local organization associated with the national group, the Citizens Freedom Foundation, which changed its name in 1984 to Cult Awareness Network (CAN). Josie was elected to CAN's national board of directors in 1987 and served until the early 1990s. During this time she served as secretary, treasurer, and chair of the development and publications committees, which developed the CAN logo and CAN's original information brochure. Also during these years she formed the Cult Abuse Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.  In addition, Josie was involved in information, consulting, and referral for families and friends of cult members as well as several interventions and rehab.  She presented educational programs to churches, schools, colleges, and the Junior League, as well as family workshops for CAN national conferences. She received the CAN Achievement Award for her service.  Though inactive since the 1990s, Josie has remained connected to and supportive of ICSA.

 

From obituary published in Main Line Media News on Nov. 19, 2017: Josephine Frank Zelov, wife of deceased Randolph D. Zelov, Sr. of Rosemont, PA and sister of Armin C. Frank Jr., also deceased, died peacefully at the age of 89 on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. Josie was born on March 24, 1928 in Savannah, GA. She is the daughter of Elsie Espy Frank and Armin C. Frank, Sr. of Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from Rosemary Hall in Greenwich, CT. and Connecticut College. In 1950, she married Randolph (Randy) who at the time was a Lieutenant and graduate of the U.S. Navel Academy. They were married for 57 years until his death. In 1966 after Randy’s 26 years of military service, the family settled in Bryn Mawr, PA. Josie raised her family, served as a volunteer in many community organizations: the Junior League, churches, schools, Navy Relief, the Red Cross and many more. She served on the vestry of the Church of the Redeemer and was chairman of the Denbeigh Day Camp, which served inner city and suburban children. She was a member of the Delaware Valley Association of Exceptionalities which served children diagnosed with learning difficulties. Josie also worked for 20 years, with the Cult Awareness Network; serving families and loved ones caught up in high demand groups. She was a board member for six years. Josie was known for her friendliness, enthusiasm, commitment, sincerity, courage, strength, humor, love of life and her dedication to her family. She truly loved interacting and communicating with multiple generations. She was an avid tennis and bridge player, enjoyed different types of stitchery, designed and taught needlepoint and was a lover of art and music. She was a member of Merion Cricket Club, the Acorn Club, the Gulph Mills Club and the St. Andrews Club of Delray Beach, Florida. She spent her summers at Pocono Lake Preserve. Josie was also a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania. She is survived by her three children, Randolph Jr., Charenton Zelov Drake and Peter, nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

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