FLORENCE THIER COOPER

FLORENCE THIER COOPER August 15, 1922 - October 6, 2016 Florence, a lovely, beautiful lady, loved by all who knew her, passed away on October 6, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Harbin, China, the daughter of Adolf Thier, an Australian Soldier captured and exiled to Siberia following World War I, where he met Florence's mother, Sara Loscova, a native born Siberian. While still an infant, the family joined the exodus from Siberia of thousands of other exiles from Central Europe, all World War I victims. The family crossed the Pacific and settled in Buffalo, NY to join relatives who had emigrated earlier. Florence had a happy childhood and teenage life in Buffalo. She was educated there, was popular and well-liked by her peers, schoolmates and extended family. She belonged to numerous organizations and enjoyed many friends. At age 20, in 1942 on a snowy winter day in February, while attending a function in Toronto, she met her future husband, Syd. A four-year courtship supported by letter writing, long distance phone calls and many intercity visits. Following Syd's graduation and Army service, they married in Buffalo, May 19, 1946, leading to a bountiful marriage, busy and happy. Recently they celebrated with 200 guests attending on May 28th of this year, the remarkable span of 70 years of married life together. Immediately after the marriage in 1946, Florence and Syd moved to St. Catharines, Ontario, remaining there for three years while Syd worked on a Hydro Electric project. Following this, they moved to Toronto and remained there, bringing up their family. Florence was a dutiful, capable and great construction wife. She brought up the family with love, care and capability. Florence was the matriarch. Three children were born in their first five years of marriage. Tobie Bekhor married to Ted, Richard Cooper married to Clara and Lynda Latner married to Steve. The family grew to include 10 grandchildren, Adam and Jonah Bekhor, Daniel, Jonathan, Amy and David Cooper and Lily, Jack, Yael and Phoebe Latner. Florence was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Simon and Goldie, Samantha and Josh, Joseph, Zach and Fox. Florence's brother Herb Thier and wife Barbara and sister Elaine Schweitzer and husband Jerry survive. A younger brother, Sandy, recently passed away. Florence was an active volunteer within the community, at Mount Sinai Hospital, Baycrest Geriatric Centre and other agencies and institutions. She was socially active but her social activities were related primarily to charitable events assisting community hospitals, universities and various social agencies and to numerous Israeli agencies and universities. She was well known, appreciated and respected by all she helped, for her generosity, participation and support. A friend to many, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, helpful in many ways to those less fortunate. She will be remembered and very much missed by her husband Sydney, family and friends.