Dr. Florence Orin Wechsberg

Dr. Florence Orin Wechsberg was born in NYC on 12-23-21 and died peacefully 01-14-24. She attended NY public schools and enrolled at Hunter College in 1939 where her education was facilitated by different scholarships. While there she joined the fencing team and founded the House Plan, an affordable social group. She received a MA in psychology from Clark College in Worcester Mass followed by a year at the New School for Social Research in NYC. She received a PhD in Clinical Psychology with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in1948 where she was listed in the first edition of Who’s Who of American Women.

She taught Psychology at the University of Denver, the University of Miami, and Miami Dade College, leaving the academy to establish a private practice in marriage and family counseling in Miami, a career she held until her mid-80’s. During this time, she served as the first female president of the Dade County Psychological Association and as secretary of the Florida Psychological Association. Florence was a founding member of Temple Beth Am Reform synagogue and has been a member since. She was previously active in the National Council of Jewish Women and the Sunshine Cancer research group in Miami.

Florence was married to Dr. Henry Wechsberg for 34 years and had two children, her precious son, Orin (deceased), and his sister, Dr. Wendee Wechsberg. She is survived by her daughter, and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Land, grandson, Josh Wechsberg (wife, Kelli Wechsberg), and granddaughter, Sarah Wechsberg, (husband, Abel McLawhorn), great grandson, Skyler Wechsberg and step-great grandson, Gage Rogers. She is survived by loving nieces, a great niece and nephews and new generations of family.

Florence travelled throughout her life to Russia, Israel, Europe, and Latin America. After retiring, she indulged in her passion for reading, by joining several book clubs, and continuing her love of horticulture, raising a variety of orchids and staghorn ferns and being a docent at Fairchild gardens. She lived out her last years at the Palace Suites in Kendall with the loving care of several companions. We want to thank all her caregivers, especially Stella Guevara and friend Gayle Weston.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Florence's honor to any of these charitable institutions:

-Humane Society of Greater Miami Home | Humane Society of Miami

(humanesocietymiami.org)

-Temple Beth Am Welcome to the Temple Beth Am Community

(tbam.org)

-National Council of Jewish Women, NY

www.ncjwny.org

-The Jewish Museum of Florida Jewish Museum of Florida | Florida International University

(fiu.edu)

A funeral service for Florence will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo (Kendall), 5900 SW 77th Ave, Miami, FL 33143.