Obituary - ZIFF, Stella (nee Cohen) - Mar 26, 2009

Obituary - ZIFF, Stella (nee Cohen) - Mar 26, 2009

FEPL - LH - Vital Stats

FE Times

Mar 28, 2009

ZIFF, Stella (nee Cohen). February 9, 1917-March 26, 2009. Stella Ziff, beloved wife of Louis Ziff, passed away peacefully at Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at age 92. Born in London, England on February 9, 1917, Stella immigrated to Canada with her sister Mimi in 1947, after serving in London's war service. In 1950, she married then Mayor of Fort Erie Louis Ziff and moved to his hometown, where she raised their two children and began a lifetime of public service. As one half of Fort Erie's 'first couple," Stella left an indelible mark on the community she called her home for 60 years. It's the rare institution in the Niagara region that hasn't benefited from Stella's firm, fair and formidable guiding hand, including both operations and capital projects, often acquiring a surprising technical, financial and government knowledge. However many of her activities were low key, for any individual who asked for her assistance. Stella was recognized with the Queen's Silver Jubilee medal in 1977. One of Stella's proudest moments was her election, at age 51, as Mayor of Fort Erie, becoming its first woman mayor. Stella and Louis also shared the distinction of being - Canada's only Jewish husband and wife mayoral duo. After her term, she was elected to Niagara Regional Council and remained active in local politics even after she, with Lou, teft Fort Erie for her "retirement" in Toronto at age 89. No one was surprised that shortly after moving into Hazelton Retirement Home, Stella became head of its Residents' board. In her last years, she was active in several environmental campaigns to preserve natural wetlands and forests.
While Stella's life was marked by extraordinary achievement in the political and civic arena, her greatest role and proudest moments were as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Stella is survived by her husband Louis, the other half of Fort Erie's first couple, now residing at Baycrest Geriatric Health Care Facility in Toronto. She is lovingly remembered by her children. Paul Ziff and Debbie Bondar both of Calgary. She will forever live in the hearts of her grandchildren Lauren and Jordan Bondar, and will be dearly missed by her sister Mimi (Henry) Fliess, her brother in-law David Ziff, as well as many nieces and nephews, relatives, friends and colleagues, all of whom loved Stella dearly. Funeral services celebrating Stella's remarkable life will be held on Sunday, March 29, at 11:30 am at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Ave. W., Toronto. A reception for family and friends will follow. The family is establishing an award at Fort Erie Secondary School to honour both Stella and Louis' lifelong dedication to education. To make a donation in Stella's memory, please contact paul.ziff@ziffenergy.com