The Manchester community and her family are mourning the loss of Zipora Whyman, a woman of immense warmth and creativity, who has died at the age of 86. Known for her radiant goodness and artistic spirit, Zipora's life was a rich tapestry woven from diverse cultures, dedicated family love, and celebrated culinary and floral talents.
A Life Rooted in the Middle East
Zipora's story began in Jerusalem in British-controlled Palestine. She was born into a family of Kurdish Jews; her mother, Esther, took in laundry while her father, Ovadia Ella, worked a small farm. They had journeyed from northern Iraq in the 1920s. Zipora was the eighth of nine children.
Her formative years were significantly shaped by the time she spent living and being educated on two kibbutzim in northern Israel – first Gan Shmuel and then Sa'ar. It was on Kibbutz Sa'ar that she met a British volunteer from London, Edward Whyman. The couple married in 1964.
Building a Family and a Home in Britain
After their wedding, Zipora and Edward embarked on an international chapter, living for a year in Ghana, where Edward taught. They eventually settled in the Manchester area as Edward pursued his career as a nuclear physicist.
While raising her two children, the family's life continued to be peripatetic, with periods spent in Paris, Brittany, Jerusalem, Leicester, and London. A dedicated mother, Zipora personally taught her daughter Hebrew and modern Hebrew literature, guiding her to A-level standard.
An Artist in the Kitchen and the Garden
Zipora's creativity knew no bounds. She was renowned for her made-to-measure meals, a unique fusion of Middle Eastern and European cuisines. She thoughtfully catered to the specific preferences of family and friends, spoiling them with her culinary creations.
Her artistic passion extended beyond the kitchen. In 2002, she took a college course in floristry, which unlocked a new talent. She became an accomplished flower arranger, creating a collection of pressed-flower pictures described by competition judges as exquisite. She participated in floral competitions across the country, earning recognition for her delicate and artistic work.
Zipora Whyman is survived by her husband Edward, her sons Dan, and her grandson, Joel. She is remembered as a steadfastly loyal, spontaneously kind, and wonderfully generous woman who connected with people from all walks of life.
