Biography of Roslyn Ticker z”l by Chuck Ticker

Born: Montreal, QE June 16, 1929

Died: Toronto, ON August 3, 2020

 

Roslyn Ticker z”l was born in Montreal on June 16th 1929.As a youngster she often looked after her younger brother Irving z”l and her sister Anne .The family was very close . She would talk about how her mother Mary Seltzer z”l would bake 10 pounds of flour a week and all the cousins would come over on Saturday evenings to schmooze to play cards and fress. Family meant everything to my Mom. She learned that from her Mom. Our grandmother Mary was the matriarch of the family and when she passed away my mother took over that role . My Mom graduated from Commercial high school in Montreal where she got training as a bookkeeper . She met my Dad Sydney when she was about 17. Mom knew that Dad had feelings for her when they started dating. She used to tell the story that my Dad deliberately forgot his umbrella at her house so he would have an excuse to go back and see her . Our Mom married my Dad when she was 19 and he was 21. They were married for over 71 years truly -remarkable and inspirational. Her relationship with Sydney was out of a Hollywood movie. They were always together sharing and experiencing all the good things that life has to offer and supporting each other when challenges arose. My Mom and Dad did everything together My Dad started off working for someone in the restaurant equipment business and he eventually founded his own restaurant equipment business. My Mom went to work with him as his bookkeeper .She was already in her 40s. Until that time she was a full time homemaker . Roslyn was an amazing cook .Everyone loved her chicken soup, knishes, chopped liver, roast beef, baking specialties such as hamentashen, honeycake and cheesecake . Not to mention her world famous salad dressing. The recipe for her salad dressing has spread throughout the world. Our mother was the glue of our family and extended her motherly love to many of our cousins especially during the Jewish holiday celebrations making sure there was enough chicken soup and aero bars for all. One of her less known passions was going to the casino playing the slot machines hoping for a windfall not for herself but for her family to make their lives easier. . When I think of my Mom, she was happiest when she was giving and caring for others. It could be something as simple as a phone call or accompanying a friend to the doctor or preparing special treats for her grandchildren. There was never a day that would go by without her checking in to make sure all of her loved ones were safe and happy. She taught us all so much about being part of a loving family and that giving was so much better than receiving. Mom was not religious but Judaism and Jewish holidays were very important to her . We were expected to be home every Friday night for Shabbos dinner. She hosted all the family seders in Montreal and Rosh Hashanah dinners and continued for some time after my parents moved to Toronto. Mom loved to entertain throwing birthday parties, engagement parties and cocktail parties. When our parents got their cottage they continued to entertain family and friends. Mom was very proud of her children’s accomplishments. She was always supportive sand encouraging. She loved participating in her grandchildren’s lives even though they were in a different city. She would try and make all the dance recitals and special events. My parents loved taking the family on vacations- cruises, Palm Springs, Florida. My Mom was a good sport. I remember when she and Dad joined us for our daughter Joanna’s bat mitzvah tour in Israel. One night we had a dinner at a restaurant that had a Roman toga theme. My Mom was picked for a skit where they wheeled her in lounging on a cart dressed in a toga like a Roman goddess while 2 hunks fed her grapes. My Mom was almost 70 at the time. Everyone broke out in hysterical laughter but no one laughed harder than Mom. Mom had serious health issues the last 10 years of her life. She amazed us with her strength and courage . The last two years were very rough and Mom slept a good deal of the time. But she never complained and I think she was more aware than we realized. She got to attend 2 of her granddaughter’s weddings and meet her two great granddaughters. I’m pretty sure she understood . Mom was a generous and loving friend .I know if it weren’t for Covid, we would have filled Benjamin’s because she was truly loved by all her extended family and friends and touched so many lives. We had so many calls and messages and so many people expressed not only their condolences but their feelings of personal loss because my Mom meant so much to them. Mom – you were a true Eishat Chayil. You’ve gone to a better place. May your soul rest in peace .