Stephanie Epstein. Photo courtesy of Philly.com.

Social worker Stephanie Epstein grew up in the small town of Uniontown in southwest Pennsylvania, according to her obituary in Philly.com.

However, she regularly watched American Bandstand and yearned to move to Philadelphia where the teenage dance TV show hosted by Dick Clark was filmed.

After graduating from Penn State Epstein’s parents gave her $100 and Epstein headed for the City of Brotherly Love. She got a job with the Children’s Aid Society and began a 40-year career in social work, specializing in caring for needy children.

After being diagnosed with cancer Epstein, MSW, retired her position as director of community-based treatment programs for Presbyterian Children’s Village in Southwest Philadelphia. She died from ovarian cancer on July 26 at age 63.

She is survived by husband William Epstein, a son, daughter, and two grandchildren. Our sympathies to her family.