Florabelle Cherry

Florabelle Cherry 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.Though she lived in Canada for most of her life, Florabelle was, as she was quick to remind us, an American, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to a bookkeeper and a 'wise guy.' She was an only child. Love brought Florabelle Link to Winnipeg 62 years ago. Marriage to Melvyn Cherry followed quickly and three sons - Mark, Scott and Lorne - came soon after that. She was a feminist-traditionalist, sneaking away to work a secret teaching job to put more food on the table. She had the heart, the patience and the ferocity necessary to become a Special Education pioneer. Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Brandon and finally, Regina, were all home to Florabelle. It seems she never stood still, not after the death of Melvyn 42 years ago and not after her retirement two decades later. She turned three boys into men, fought for the rights of teachers and became the first female vice president of the Beth Jacob Synagogue. She served as a vital liaison between the Jewish community and multi-cultural Regina. If you toured the synagogue as a student, Florabelle was likely your guide. And oh, was she passionate - about family, about history and about Hadassah-WIZO, of which she was an executive member until the day she died. When she wasn't lunching, knitting or reading, she was talking. Florabelle relished in her stories and so did we — like the one about her first-born coming six weeks late and riding a two-wheeler at six months old. Those who considered questioning the facts can now do so openly. In her final years, the seemingly limitless woman was forced to slow down. With a walker, bad kidneys and an ailing heart, Florabelle Cherry knew the exit was near, but was not ready to go. Would she ever have been ready? We don't think so. Florabelle was predeceased by her parents, Myer and Rosalie Link; her husband, Melvyn Cherry; and her son, Scott (Deborah) Cherry. She is survived by her children, Mark (Karen) and Lorne (Rhonda) Cherry, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, the latter of whom have drawers filled with Great Baubie's knitted hats, sweaters and booties. A funeral service will be held at the Beth Jacob Cemetery at 810 Broad St. on Friday, September 12 at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Regina Hadassah-WIZO c/o Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, 1310 Greene Ave., Suite 900, Montreal, QC H3Z 2B8.