Florence Ann “Flossie” Pack (Faiga-Hannah bat Arieh), 96, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 10.
Flossie was born on Dec. 28, 1927, to Louis and Leona Goldfinger in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Central High School in 1944 and, after spending a year and a half at University of Michigan, graduated with a BA in Romance languages and English from the University of Oklahoma in 1948. She married her husband of 58 years, Steve S. Pack (whom she met when she was 13), on June 16, 1951, and was a lifelong Kansas City resident.
Flossie is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Jay (Ruthie) Pack of Dallas, Texas, and Dee (Joyce) Pack of Prairie Village, Kansas; daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Patty and Jim Norris of St. Louis, Missouri; seven granddaughters, Lucy (Kyle) Schanzer, Monica (Avo) Pack-Soltes, Elizabeth Pack, Gracie (Wyatt) Meiggs, Andrea Pack, Jennifer Pack and Leah Pack; and six great-grandchildren, Nora Schanzer, Stella Meiggs, Avery Schanzer, Lela Meiggs, Sloane Schanzer and Rya Pack-Soltes.
Flossie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Steve; youngest son, Keith E. Pack, M.D.; and sister, Roz Ginsburg.
Learning was a passion, and Flossie remained a lifelong student. Fluent in Spanish and French, she translated correspondence for international businesses and started her own translation service. Truth be known, she preferred to practice Spanish in Acapulco, Mexico, and French on the Riviera.
Among many other pursuits, she took piano lessons, studied Mandarin and attended classes at SPARK (where she completed over 30 courses). There was always more to learn, and she modeled this thirst for knowledge for subsequent generations.
Flossie also enjoyed travel, the arts and dance. She and Steve visited many places in the U.S. and around the world (and drove to Acapulco for their honeymoon). Her sons fondly remember many family adventures and are grateful to have been exposed to different countries and cultures. She enjoyed art museums, the symphony and theater — especially musicals. Above all, Flossie loved to dance. She started at a young age and kept going. Though her specialty was tap, she mastered many different styles. Traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Steve to learn tango was the ideal way to combine her passions of dance and travel.
Flossie was an avid reader, bridge player and crossword puzzler, and she remained competitive at Scrabble and Rummikub. She had an incredible sense of style, was highly organized and was blessed with an annoyingly good memory. She was a wonderful cook and baker — strawberry pie, mandel bread, and Hanukkah (and Christmas) cookies were some of her specialties.
Flossie was involved in several Jewish organizations: she was a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and its Sisterhood, active in the National Council of Jewish Women and a lifetime member and former president of Hadassah.
Flossie modeled independence, intelligence and dignity to her growing family. She was a willing listener and confidant, dance teacher, stylist and travel guide to seven granddaughters — even meeting them in Chicago for a girls’ weekend to celebrate her 90th birthday. She followed her great-grandkids with interest and traveled until earlier this year to celebrate birthdays. According to her granddaughters and great-grandchildren, she was a wonderful “Grammy.” Sloane and Rya weren’t yet able to opine, but responded warmly to her hugs and smiles. Flossie leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and was diligent about remembering birthdays and anniversaries with a call or card.
The family expresses gratitude and appreciation for her dedicated caregivers: Ashley, Bridget, Jan, Emma, Sharon, Sherri and Phyllis.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 12 at Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Kindly omit flowers. The family suggests contributions to SPARK Flossie Pack Center for Lifelong Learning, 4825 Troost Ave #113, Kansas City, MO 64110; Haddasah Kansas City Chapter c/o Hadassah Great Plains, 900 Skokie Blvd., Suite 295 Northbrook, IL, 60062; or a charity of one’s choosing.
Condolences may be shared at louismemorialchapel.com.
