Friends, Family Remember Philadelphia City Councilwoman
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia said goodbye on Tuesday to a relentless former councilwoman who always stood up for her neighborhoods in the Northeast.
Joan Krajewski passed away last week, at the age of 79.
The stories, many of them humorous and blunt, flowed easily from those attending her funeral at Christ Church. The Reverend Joseph Campellone, President of Father Judge High School, where Councilwoman Krajewski's three sons attended, had this to say:
"How many people in this church were called an 'idiot' by Joan?" Campellone asked, before looking around. "Everybody, even the mayor."
Mayor Nutter, sitting in the front pew, along with members of Council, was among the first to raise their hand on the idiot question.
Outside, after services, he thought about it.
"Joan was quite expressive," Mayor Nutter said simply.
He recalls during his own Council days that when they brought up smoke-free bills, Krajewski - a chain smoker - in her distinct gravelly voice, called him just that.
"She would say, 'You must be crazy,' or words to that effect."
Krajewski's daughter-in-law, Michelle, spoke during the service as well.
"Joan was tough. But when it came to her grandchildren, she was a softy," Michelle recalled.
Krajewski represented her district in Northeast Philadelphia from 1980 until 2012.
