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Bangor Daily News

submitted by Beth Abraham Cemetery Association

"BANGOR – Florence Ida (Kaminsky) Lieberman, 99, wife of Dr. Arthur Lieberman died on Sept. 29, 2013, at the Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth, N.H. She was born May 1, 1914, in New York City to Samuel and Anna Kaminsky.

When she was a baby, the family moved to Brownville Junction, where she made her home for the next 17 years. She came to appreciate small towns and the work ethic which helped people survive. This work ethic would be instilled in her forever.

Upon moving with her family to Bangor, she graduated in the class of 1931 from Bangor High School. At this time, Florence enrolled in the University of Maine. Throughout her four years at UMO, there were many days that she had to hitchhike to classes. Her intellectual curiosity drove her to seek a higher education and she did whatever had to be done to achieve her goal. While at the university, she was a member of Omicron Nu, a women’s scholastic honor society. In 1935, Florence graduated from UMO with a degree in Home Economics and moved to New York City. She began a new pursuit which would ultimately lead to a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. While engaged in her education she was employed at Kings County Hospital as a dietician. Florence taught Home Economics in NYC from 1945-1947.

In 1948, Florence married Dr. Arthur Lieberman of Bangor. They settled in Bangor, a city which would become her home for the next 52 years.

After her husband’s death in 1965, Florence became employed by the State of Maine in the Division of Maternal and Child Health. In the late 60s she became part of the staff at the Eastern Maine General Hospital, as a registered dietician. She taught several classes of nursing students and focused on renal nutrition. She was admired and respected by all of her colleagues, many of whom remained lifelong friends. One of her greatest joys was meeting people in the hospital corridors who would ask if she was Florence Kaminsky from Brownville Junction. She never lost her devotion to the people and way of life in that small Maine town.

After retiring in 1989, at the age of 75, Florence continued her community involvement. Her intellectual curiosity, natural leadership, and volunteer spirit led to her involvement in many religious and civic organizations.

In 2000, she moved to The Atrium in Portland, to be closer to her family. She became a vital part of this new community, serving on the Atrium Resident Council and as Chairperson of the Food Committee. Once again, her intellectual curiosity led to her attending classes at OSHA Senior Institute at The University of Southern Maine. Florence spent ten wonderful years living in Portland.

In 2010, she moved to The Mark Wentworth Home in Portsmouth, N.H. This home provided closeness to her family and the continued warmth of community.

Florence left her mark on whatever she did. She was a member of AAUW, the League of Women Voters, Eastern Maine General Hospital Auxiliary, Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Historical Society, American Dietetic Association, Beth Abraham and Beth El synagogues, and the Hadassah Book Club. She served over 50 years on the Jewish Community Council in Bangor.

Florence was a non-fiction reader and took pride in being able to complete The New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Wherever she lived, education, integrity, dignity and hard work were part of her very being.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Diane Lieberman Share and Barney Share of Portsmouth, N.H.; four grandchildren, Andrew and Elisa Share of Brentwood, N.H., and Samuel and Andrea Share of Michigan; two great-grandsons, Aaron and Avry Share of Brentwood, N.H.; a brother and sister-in-law, Irving and Naomi Kaminsky of Chevy Chase, Md.; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Zimmern of DelRay, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Arthur Lieberman; a sister, Leah Rosenberg; and a brother, Eli Kaminsky.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1,at the Jewish Funeral Chapel, 118 Center St., Bangor. Interment will follow at Beth Abraham Cemetery, Bangor. A meal of condolence for relatives and friends will be held at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, following the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Dr. Arthur and Florence Lieberman Scholarship, care of Bangor School Department, 76 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401. Memorial days (Shiva) will be observed 5:30-8 Wednesday and Thursday, at the home of Diane and Barney Share, 38 Thaxter Road, Portsmouth, N.H. Prayer services will be held each evening at 6:15. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor."