Our mum Audrey Leibovitch Lowitz was born in Montreal and moved to Toronto in her 70s after her husband Jack Esbin died. She was a brilliant educator who ran an early childhood intervention program at the Montreal Children's Hospital that worked to integrate brain-injured children into public schools 50 years before school inclusion policies were in place. Audrey was also a brilliant sculptor and we rejoice in the beautiful sculptures she created for each of us.

We will have a private small graveside gathering with immediate family and won’t be sitting shiva in a traditional way. We will look forward to connecting with our family, friends and community to remember mum in small gatherings in the months to come.

Mum went back to school in mid-life to complete Bachelor and Master's degrees in Education. Folks who want to make a donation to a charity in her honour and memory can contribute to The Léa Roback Foundation: https://www.fondationlearoback.org/en/the-lea-roback-foundation/

Throughout her life, Lea Roback (1903-2000), our Auntie Léa, fought for the rights of women, peace, social justice, and universal access to education. In the 1930s, she became a trade union activist with workers in various industries in the Montreal area. From the 1960s on, Lea Roback was involved in the peace movement and the women’s movement.

Established in November 1993, on the occasion of her 90th birthday, the Lea Roback Foundation, inspired by Lea’s lifelong ideals, awards scholarships to women residing in Québec who are socially committed and economically disadvantaged.