Florence Budin Hersh

Florence Budin Hersh was born on February 22, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, the seventh and only American-born child of Isadore and Mary Budin. She passed away October 16, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Agudath Jacob Synagogue.

Florence’s story began years before her birth. Seeking guidance to calm her worries about leaving Latvia for a new life in America, her mother Mary consulted the inimitable Rabbi Simcha Meyer haCohane of Dvinsk. He promised her a safe voyage across the ocean with her six children to reunite with her husband, and he foresaw that one final child would become the joy of her life.

Florence was that child. She brought new life and happiness to her family following the premature death of her father, Isadore, at the age of 44, when she was only 4 years old.

Because her mother communicated only in Yiddish, Florence was bilingual from an early age, a skill she was most proud of in her later years.

During high school, Florence met Stanley Hersh through her nephew and Stan’s good friend, Herbie Kaufman, all close in age. Stan and Florence were instantly smitten and wed in 1951 at Temple on the Heights in Cleveland. Their marriage endured for 67 years until Stanley passed away in 2018.

By the time Stanley finished college, medical school in Cleveland, and his residency at Boston City Hospital, Florence, at the age of 28, was the primary caregiver for their three daughters. She was relieved to escape brutal Northeast winters when the family moved to Waco, Texas in 1961.

Florence lived her entire adult life caring for her husband, children, a few close friends, her distant family, and her synagogue and community.

She spent years of her life chauffeuring her daughters to school, piano lessons, Hebrew school, and Junior Congregation. She taught them about plants and flowers, Impressionist artists, and style. She often served as room mother and took care of the family dog, always rushing to his rescue.

She was a devoted member of Congregation Agudath Jacob and served as Sisterhood President. She was also a member of the McLennan County Medical Auxiliary, the Waco Symphony Women's Council, and Hadassah, where she was often asked to share her joyful singing voice at their galas. She volunteered as a fundraiser for various PTAs, March of Dimes, and the Jewish Federation of Waco and Central Texas.

Florence never hesitated to call the City of Waco regarding neighborhood and garbage issues, which were her specialty. She fought hard for the “No Right Turn on Red” sign at Bosque and Rambler which serves as one of her legacies.

She frequented estate sales and had a knack for interior design, benefitting many. She was also a phantom flower-deliverer to her friends and daughters. If a pot of flowers were left on a doorstep without a note, it was surely from Florence.

In the 1980s, Florence became “Mimi” and spent many of her days taking care of her grandchildren, always providing Friday night Shabbat dinners to her ever-growing family.

She adored her four great-grandchildren and set up a photo gallery of them which cluttered the kitchen counters she once kept strictly cleared.

She was selfless, a generous and proud Jew and mother, and a perfectionist who mastered the sleight of hand required for slipping money to her daughters, grandchildren, and anyone she deemed worthy or in need. She will be greatly missed but always remembered.

Please send donations in her memory to the Jewish Federation of Waco & Central Texas, P.O. Box 8031, Waco, Texas 76714 or Congregation Agudath Jacob, 4925 Hillcrest Dr., Waco, Texas 76710.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Florence in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com