Late in the Mailbag…Lani Daniels Dies

One of Pittsburgh’s legendary radio voices has passed away.

Ilana Krop Wilensik – best known by her on-air sobriquet “Lani Daniels”- died December 6, 2024 at her home in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Daniels was 66 and had been battling cancer.

After graduating from Ithaca College, the Buffalo, New York native arrived in Pittsburgh in the early 1980’s, landing an on-air job at the former “93 WPNT” (now Q929). From there, she moved on to 3WS, remaining there until taking a job at country-formatted WXTU in Philadelphia in the mid 90’s. She also embarked on freelance work, including nationally syndicated radio shows, as well as TV work.

Daniels left radio to become executive director of the Philadelphia office of the American Jewish Committee, dedicated to the protection and education of Jewish people worldwide. Afterwards, she became executive director of The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in Westchester, which provides animal-assisted activities for disabled children.

Daniels is survived by her husband Bob, three sisters and their spouses, and several nieces and nephews. She had no children.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Roteman