Florence Leibin

Florence Judith Epstein Leibin, 76, former resident of Avon, Connecticut and current resident of Venice, Florida, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025. She is survived by her husband, Harvey Leibin, her brother, Kenneth Epstein, and her children Brad (Amy) Leibin, Kate (Andy) Matos and Kara (Alfredo) Leibin Azocar. Grandmother of Addison Lynn, Cora Ruth, Samantha Morgan, Elizabeth Mae, Simon Julian, and Ezra Wai Kin.

Small in stature but giant in both spirit and strength, Flo aka “Little Powerhouse” brimmed with energy, wit, kindness, loyalty, and generosity. She made and maintained friendships with ease. To many, Flo was not just a friend but a ‘sister.’ She loved the beach, a good book or movie, cooking for others, word games, and a round of golf. Flo was a medical miracle, surviving a complex late-stage lung cancer diagnosis with resilience and positivity. But, above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, and Bubbie. Her greatest joy and happiness came from her family; she cherished every minute and every memory she had with them.

Flo was born in Bayonne, New Jersey in 1949, where she grew up alongside a large and close-knit, extended Jewish family. Her relationships with many cousins from Bayonne as well as Red Hook, New York endured for a lifetime. While attending Elmira College in New York she met her future husband, Harvey, and graduated with a degree in education. Flo and Harvey married in 1970 and enjoyed 55 years of loving marriage. While Harvey attended graduate school in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Blue!) Flo began her elementary teaching career. She loved children and her nurturing personality lent itself naturally to the work of an educator. Flo’s teaching continued in Connecticut, in the Farmington school district, positively impacting the lives of countless children. After 44 years as a resident in Avon, Connecticut she and Harvey relocated to Venice, Florida in 2021 where she built an entirely new community of wonderful friends who brought her joy and comfort as she battled illness in her final years.

Flo’s family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional doctors and nurses at UCONN Medical Center ICU, who treated her these last few weeks. But nothing could compare to the care that Dr. Anne Chiang, Dr. Deborah Doroshow, or Dr. Tapas Bandyopadhyay (“Banerjee”) provided over the last 7 years. They looked after Flo as both skilled doctors and friends who became family. We are forever grateful and so was Flo.

Gone but never forgotten. Flo’s memory is a blessing to all of those she touched. Services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom (FVJC), 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. Burial to follow at FVJC Memorial Park, 50 Mountain View Ave, Avon, CT 06001. Shiva will be observed at the home of Kate and Andy Matos on Friday, October 3 from 4-6 PM and Saturday, October 4 from 6-8PM. Memorial donations may be directed to the Yale New Haven Health Dr. Anne Chiang Appreciation page or Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation