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It is with profound sorrow that the  family  must share that our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and colleague,  Dr. Arlene Ackerman, who cared dearly for children as the superintendent of Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia public schools, passed away February 2.  She bravely fought pancreatic cancer since being diagnosed in November. We, as family and friends, have been extremely blessed to be part of her life.  She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.  She is survived by two sons, Anthony and Matthew Antognoli; a daughter-in-law, Mickie; and four granddaughters, Sarah, Soleil, Marley and Violet, who were the source of her truest happiness.  She also leaves a sister and three brothers.  She believed and treated all of her friends, colleagues, and children she cared for as part of her family.  Her loss will be felt by all.  We, her family, wish to express our most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all the love, support, prayers, letters, messages, and thoughts she received especially over the last few months, but also throughout her career. They truly helped to fuel her fight.  We are extremely proud of the work and dedication to the education of all, and especially disadvantaged children.  She spent her entire life committed to educational excellence for each.  She planted the seeds of greatness in many and inspired it in many others. Please make all donations to the following organizations where funds have been set up in her name: 

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital  - Donors may give by phone-1-800-873-6983, online at stjude.org/tribute, or mail a check to:

St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105

Fund Name: Arlene Ackerman     Code: 32733066

American Cancer Society- Donors may give by phone 800-227-2345, online at cancer.org, or send a check to American Cancer Society:

PO box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718