Flora
& Sam Weller
Other than
their children, what would they be most proud of?
Flora – her
activeness in her synagogues;
her fundraising for Jewish organizations; her relationship with
her sisters
Sam – his sales
abilities, his dancing
What would
be their greatest regret?
Neither of them
had any major regrets but:
Flora – not
being a talented enough violinist or not following through with her violin
training; not finishing college; not being able to read ALL the books in the
world;
Sam – not being
a successful entrepreneur
What would
be their most treasured memories?
Their trips to
What would be
their most treasured values? (i.e., what
would they be willing to speak up for or against within the family, the
country, or in other situations?)
Flora –
Supporting
Sam – Helping
out family or friends in need
What would
they want to see carried on in the family (after the answer of religion)?
A
sense of family closeness.
What
qualities did they embody (e.g., tenacity, wisdom, humor, outspokenness,
…)?
Flora was a
quiet peacemaker, always mediating between or placating her sisters. There was an un-worldly innocence about her.
Sam, for all his
frugalness, was a very loyal and generous man – both with his time and
money. He was always there when you
needed him.
What would
have been their secret ambition, hope or dream?
Flora – for her
children to be successful
Sam
– to be wildly successful in the stock market or in real estate.
After
survival, financial security and health, what is the one thing that would have
made them really happy?
They liked being
together – they would have been happier having all of their
extended family close by.
What in
the world of politics bothered them most?
In spite of
being lifelong democrats, neither of them was political.
What in
the world of religion bothered them most?
Interfaith
marriage bothered Flora. Sam was never
religious. He kept kosher and went to
synagogue only because of Flora.
What in
the world of family bothered them most? (Please don’t
give names!!!
Speak in
generalities!)
Family feuds –
when one family member was not speaking to another.
What
hobbies did they have? What recreational
activities did they enjoy?
Flora was not
the least bit athletic but she loved to read and do crossword puzzles. She bought her first pair of sneakers and
took up tennis at the age of 73 when she moved to a community with a tennis
court in front of her building. She
stuck with it for about three months ... but gave it up when they put up a net !!!
Sam played
handball through his late 40’s and then took up golf. He got a hole in one at the age of 83! He was also a great dancer. We took him to buy comfortable shoes when he
was in his 80’s. He did not want shoes
with crepe soles because he couldn’t dance in them!
Tell us
about any other defining character traits or physical characteristics.
Sam had a
deformed, distended lip. It could not be
corrected surgically as most surgeons were concerned he might bleed to death.
What
people or events most shaped who they were?
How?
Flora – Her
parents. Her mother was wise and compassionate and her father was sweet and a
scholar. Of all her sisters, Flora was
most like her mother and she also had her father’s penchant for studying.
Sam – The
Depression most impacted his psyche – he was a big saver and didn’t spend money
easily.