Florence Abssi

Funeral Information

A brief memorial will be held at the MacAlpine Funeral Home, 302 North Hanselman Street, Bad Axe, Michigan on Monday, December 8th at 2 pm followed by the burial at Colfax Cemetery at 3 pm.

Family of the Deceased

She is survived by her husband, Ali A. Abssi; her two sons, Robert A. Hirsch-wife Jennifer, Bruce R. Hirsch -wife Deborah; Granddaughters Cynthia A. Gallegos-husband Antonio, Laura Rau- husband David, Erica M. Miglicco-husband Jeffery; Grandsons Robert G. Hirsch-wife Tori, Troy Frazee, and Richard F. Hirsch. She is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Florence was preceded in death by her son William H. Hirsch who is survived by his wife Diana.

Biography

Florence Marie Hall Abssi, 95, of Houston, Texas, passed away from this life to the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday afternoon, November 29th, after a long and valiant struggle with illness. Florence was born in Bad Axe, Michigan on July 26, 1919 to the Reverend Herbert Hall of Yorkshire, England and Mildred E. Jones Hall from Bad Axe, Michigan. She attended Sebewaing High School and graduated early at the age of 16. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and her Master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University and the University of Texas. Florence was an accomplished violinist and performed at esteemed venues, such as Carnegie Hall. She was a member of the Teaneck Symphony in New Jersey and played with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic. She performed numerous times in Huron City for the famous author, critic, writer, and orator Rev. William Lyon Phelps. In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, Florence sang with several big band orchestras including the Loren Towne Dance Band. Florence is a published author and has written several books, the first of which was set in the Bad Axe and Port Hope areas. Early in her career and during WWII, she worked at the Douglas Aircraft Company. After the war, she taught at elementary, junior high and high school in New Jersey, as well as Texas. However her passion was operating the several retail stores that she and her husband, Ali Abssi, established in the early 1960’s. These stores included the World Trade Center Imports and the Ishtar Gate Gallery, both located in Houston. The Ishtar Gate Gallery is still in operation today and has existed in the Galleria for 40 years. Florence was active in the many businesses and stores until she was incapacitated. Florence and Ali were also dealers in precious stones, fine art, jewelry, antiquities and real estate. Also, at an age when most people would have long since retired, she formed Texas State Land Exchange and several other companies. Florence was a trailblazer in every direction that life took her, age was truly just a number to her. Florence was an extensive world traveler, loved the thrill of a new adventure and loved people and their many cultures and foods. She could engage in conversations on any topic and was truly one of the brightest intellects of our time. She has beloved friends on every continent and many different countries. We will miss her engaging smile, her spellbinding stories, clever wit and sparkling personality. She truly lived life to the very fullest and most importantly, she was very loved by her family and friends. Florence loved to return to the “Thumb” to visit and attend class reunions or the Baker/Ramsey family reunions. It allowed her to return to the towns and areas that she so loved. She travelled the world and lived in different areas of Texas, Oklahoma, New York, New Jersey and New Mexico, but at heart she was always a Michigan girl and wanted to return there where so many of her beloved family have also been laid to rest.

Printer Friendly Version