Florence Zipkin
Florence Zipkin was born April 18, 1922, in Hot Springs, Ark., to James Rowles Knox and Florence Forgy Knox, and passed away Oct. 19, 2020, in Marshall, Va. She lived for most of her life in Ossining, N.Y.
Florence attended Hot Springs High School and Texas State College for Women, then studied at the Juilliard School of Music with Edouard Dethier, graduating with a B.A. and M.A. She taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the Memphis College of Music, performing as a soloist and member of the Southwestern String Quartet.
Florence married Bernard Zipkin in 1950 and they moved to Ossining, renovating a former turkey smoking factory into a unique house surrounded by beautiful gardens, and bringing up their children: Adam, Baba, Leif, Barney and Tully. They also raised German Shorthaired Pointers, which Florence showed at the NYC Westminster Dog Show. Their home became well-known, with a French carousel on the front lawn and school classes visiting to see their many animals.
Florence and Bernard ran several businesses, including an antique store, rental of props for movies, television and advertising, and the Mahopac Farm and Museum: a museum, country store, petting zoo and summer theater. Florence was an active member of the American Folk Art Museum, and she and Bernard loaned antiques for shows there and at other museums. She was an avid reader, was active in garden club, continued to play the violin and help her children with their music studies, and spent time in New York City, which she loved. Most of all she loved her family and friends and stayed in close touch with them.
Florence is survived by her sister, Charlotte, her children and their spouses and ex-spouses, and eight grandchildren: Eva, Tor, Ani, Sarah, Emily, Kendall, Caleigh and Avery. She was dearly beloved by her family, relatives and friends, as well as many of her children's friends, with whom she became close.
A memorial honoring Florence's life will be held in the future.
Donations in her name can be made to Green Chimneys (Brewster, N.Y.), Wild Earth Allies (Chevy Chase, Md.), and the Juilliard School of Music (New York, N.Y.).