Florence Shapiro, a Nobil matriarch whose vitality, warmth, sharp intelligence and wisdom proved inspirational to family and friends near and far, passed away from a sudden illness February 18 in Jacksonville, Florida.She was 85.  Florence was born in Brooklyn New York in 1933, moving to Akron two years later. Precocious by nature and by circumstance, she skipped several grades of school, graduating high school by 16, and shortly thereafter beginning full-time work at Goodyear Tire. She claimed to be older, a claim she continued during her early courtship by her eventual husband and lifetime love Jerry Shapiro.  After marrying in 1954, she and Jerry settled in his home town of Wooster for more than 60 years, which included several phone calls a day with her sister and best friend Roz Spector, who preceeded her in death, as did her father David (when she was young), her revered mother Jennie, and her brother Ed, who could do no wrong!  She developed numerous enduring friendships among Jerry’s extended family and throughout the community. She volunteered for the Knesseth Israel Temple, Planned Parenthood, Wooster Community Hospital and the Ohio Light Opera.  She enjoyed exercise – walking constantly to the end – mah jong, and bridge, but it was in the art of conversation that she was a true grandmaster. Yet her commitment was to raising her family, including not only her children but also her nephews and nieces, relatives and friends.  In the last few years of her life, she moved to Jacksonville to be near her daughter and son-in-law.  She is survived by her loving family of three children and their spouses – Ellen and Alan Rosner, Isaac Shapiro and Jennie Bonney, and Michael and Margot Shapiro; eight grandchildren and spouses – Rachel Rosner and Jesse Gabriel, Adam and Lauren Rosner, and Gabriel Rosner; Frank, Jenna and Isabel Shapiro; and Madelyn and Spencer Shapiro; and four great-grandchildren – Ethan and Joshua Gabriel and Max and Nora Rosner.  Her funeral will take place at 2:30 pm Friday February 22 at McIntire Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, followed by a reception at Knesseth Israel Temple.  In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Wayne County Community Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Wayne County Community Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Service
Her funeral will take place at 2:30 pm Friday February 22 at McIntire Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, followed by a reception at Knesseth Israel Temple.

Visitation