Remembering Florabelle Cherry z”l 

November 12, 1932-September 9, 2014

“The world just got a little less interesting. Opinions will never be as strong, arguments never as fierce, stories never as long since Florabelle "Baubie" Cherry left this world the evening of September 9th. She was 81.” Written by her grandchildren for her obituary.

With a heavy heart I write this tribute to the memory of a mentor and dear friend.

Beth Jacob Synagogue Board of Director 1980s:

 Standing: Leonard Reinhorn,Fred Wolch, Noel Sandomirsky, Norm Bercovich, Van Isman, Michael Yaffe, Abe Ziesler Seated: Mendel Reiner,  Florabelle Cherry, Nelson Sunshine, Jerry Birstein, Issy Steen, Lorraine Birstein, Toby Meirovitch  

Our path crossed many years ago while working on fund raisers for Beth Jacob, Regina Hadassah WIZO and Sisterhood, or organizing other Jewish Community events.

Honouring Mary Gettle

Standing: Bonnie Belzberg, Vancouver, Lorraine Martin, 

Steated: Florabelle Cherry, Mary Gettle, Ellen Mossny  

During very intensive baking days in the Synagogue kitchen, we had Mary Gettle  on the team. Mary was one step ahead of us by coming in very early on these days. Along with other volunteers we worked for hours, planning, ordering, preparing, serving and cleaning up afterwards, ending the days totally exhausted. However, we always had time to go out to eat afterwards giving satisfaction of our toils. Florabelle was the 'Counter'. Every thing had to be counted, Hamantashen, matzo-balls, knishes, meat balls, chicken pieces and you name it.

A quote from my soon-to-be- published autobiography, 'Notes and Clippings':

“Baking for weekly Sabbath Kiddish, Community Passover Seders, Purim Hamantashen, Hanukkah and luncheons. Keeping the kitchens kosher was ongoing and with the helpful knowledge of Florabelle Cherry a 'How-to Keep The Kitchen Kosher' booklet was printed and hung in the kitchen'

When Beth Jacob Community moved to the new Synagogue Florabelle took up a position in the hallway to direct traffic to where the boxes needed to be put. Somewhere in the Beth Jacob archives there was a picture of her taken with her arms out pointing in the direction.

Lorraine and Florabelle

In 1999 Florabelle and I were nominated for Women of Distinction, sponsored by the YWCA. She was for her Regina Community Educational Volunteer work and I in  Health and Wellness. We  were truly honoured even if we did not make it to the short list.

Regina Hadassah-WIZO would not have run as it did without Florabelle's input. She was on every committee putting details to the projects. Her system was set up to follow and boy did that make things run smoothly. When it came to sending out the invitations she took the job of organizing the labels and sticking them on the envelops.

Florabelle and I flew to Toronto or Montreal to many Canadian Hadassah-WIZO National meetings or to other cites to attend Conventions. We always shared a room. When a third person shared with us, Florabelle and I shared a bed rather than adding a small cot. I remember one time when Glynis Mervitz was the third person. There we were settling down for the night, Florabelle in her night cap and I with a sleep mask, in one bed and Glynis in the other bed. I said a sweet good night to Florabelle and started to laugh at the way we looked. It was such a side-slitting laugh that Glynis did not know what to make of it. Another time when Florabelle and I shared a room, she started to read before going to sleep. Seeing her light was still on during the night, I woke up several times. She was in the same position every time and appeared to be still reading. When day light came she was wide awake. I wondered if she slept in that position all night.

RHW 90^th Anniversary 2012      

R to L Standing: Clara Polster, Penny Wolfson, Marguerite Suchet, Roberta Swetlow, Sherril Brooks, Marci Frid, Helen Reiner, Marla Dan, President, CHW 

Seated: Glynis Mervitz, Barbara Cutler, Naomi Lyman, Florabelle Cherry, Irene Farberman, Lorraine Martin  

Another quote from my soon-to-be- published autobiography'Notes and Clippings'

“During these past few years the members are ageing and fewer members were able to step up to help keep the organization together. Fund raising projects were kept few in number and simple to organize. Dinner meetings are held in restaurant in order to keep the social aspect and camaraderie up. The co-presidents, Florabelle Cherry and Roberta Swetlow kept the chapter active.”

May 31 2015 

Rabbi, Cherry family and friends: 

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to honour the memory of Florabelle Cherry z'l  at Regina Hadassah-WIZO's Annual Campaign Brunch. I do appreciate being asked to give this tribute. I speak for so many who knew her.  There is so much that can be said about Florabelle. Helping others was so ingrained with-in her that her heart and soul was in everything she did. Education was her field of interest. She came with a great deal of knowledge, wit and humour. She was able to get cooperation because of her experience as a teacher, including her knowledge and talent for bringing out abilities and interests that were already within us, but hidden,  and by mentoring  rather than doing everything herself.  After her retirement as Special Educator with the Regina Teachers Association she turned her energy to the Regina Jewish Community. Many long hours were spent organizing, cleaning, baking, teaching and whatever it took to get a task done. When Florabelle asked for help specific instructions came with the request.  We especially felt this with-in Regina Hadassah-WIZO. Florabelle became very active with it's administration and fund raising projects.  She was always open to suggestions on how to improve things. She could visualized how the best way to organize a project.  Florabelle held the chapter together over food.  We held many luncheon meetings and spend hours at a variety of Regina Restaurants. She attended and participated in the decision making of Canadian Hadassah-WIZO  at the national meetings and conventions. She was well respected for her input. She gave willingly of her charitable money  to help the health and education of families in Israel. Her contribution has been sincerely felt by so many.

I, for one, miss all the conversations and hard work Florabelle and I had. 

What cherished memories!