LORE ROME

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LORE ROME With great sadness we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Lore Rome, who died July 17, 2007, of complications resulting from a 6-month battle with pneumonia at The Grace Hospital, Winnipeg. Lore is survived by her three sons, Steve, Les, and Leon; her brother Harry Behr of Toronto, plus extended family. She was predeceased by her husband Harold; her parents Emil and Clara Behr; and brother Kurt Behr. Born on August 6, 1920, in Karlsruhe, Germany, Lore and her family escaped Nazi Germany in August of 1939 through the efforts of her uncle Albert Flegenheimer. The Behr family made a home in Winnipeg. In 1944, Lore met and married the love of her life, Harold Rome of Vancouver, where they settled and had their three children. Tragedy struck in 1957 when Harold died of open-heart surgery in its pioneer days. The 37-year old widow and mother of three who had just begun to build a life of her own had to move back to Winnipeg, the home of her parents and brothers. Here, Lore worked and raised her boys, relying on her strength of spirit, good character, and loving heart to meet life's challenges. Mom worked first with her brothers, Kurt and Harry, in their contracting business, and by 1965 owned and operated one, then two, beauty salons in St. James. After 1975 until her retirement in 1985, she worked as office manager for her longtime friend, Samuel Gilfix. Lore's outgoing nature gave her many friends. She loved to play bridge and shared the warmth of many through that activity. Mom was cultured, enjoyed opera, classical music, Rainbow Stage - favourite TV show - Lawrence Welk - and she loved to travel, whether to the Sun Belt, Europe, Mexico, on a cruise, or her favourite - Hong Kong. In recent years, Lore became a member of The Gwen Secter Centre where she played bridge and once again endeared herself to others. Mother's greatest happiness was being together with her three sons, who she loved unconditionally. She fought courageously to the end, recovering time and again from various strains of pneumonia, never admitting defeat throughout her 6-month hospitalization. Her greatest quality was the gentle innocence that lay within, always appreciating others with both trust and faith. She was very well liked. The funeral service was held July 20 at Chesed Shel Emes Chapel with interment at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Sam Broverman, Jim Weidman, Ed Lichtman, Hartley Goldman, Jon Gudmundson, and Stewart Elston. Hororary pallbearers were Jack Korman and Gordon Keatch. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and aides at Grace General Hospital for their dedication, care, and support during Mother's illness. Donations in Lore's memory would be gratefully received at either The Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, 1588 Main St., Winnipeg, R2V 1Y3, or The Grace Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, R3J 3M7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2007