Jo Franzblau

Jo Zimmer Franzblau passed away peacefully at her home in Tampa on Monday, September 7, 2015. She was 90 years old and is survived by her husband Robert, her children and in-laws Alix Franzblau and Ron Sherman, Carlo and Beth Franzblau, and her grandchildren, Olivia, Max and Ethan. Mrs. Franzblau was predeceased by her oldest sister, Tirza Uzieli formerly of Haifa, Israel. Mrs. Franzblau is also survived by her two other sisters, Belle Hoffman of Long Island, New York, and Greta Friedman of Fredrerick, Maryland. Further, Jo Franzblau is survived by over 20 nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews in the US, Israel and South America. Jo Zimmer was born in Vienna Neustadt, Austria in 1925. She fled German occupation in December of 1939, coming to New York City with two of her sisters. Her parents, Max and Ida Zimmer were murdered in the Nazi genocide as were other members of her extended family. In New York she worked for Look magazine and met her future husband, Robert Franzblau. They were married in 1954 and moved to Tampa shortly after. Jo Zimmer Franzblau was an active member and supporter of numerous cultural and arts institutions in Tampa over many years, including the Tampa Museum of Art, The Florida Orchestra and the Tampa Bay Performing Art Center. Robert and Jo were members of Temple of Schaarai Zedek. There will be a memorial service on September 29th at 11:00 am at Congregation Shaarai Zedek in Tampa. Donations in Jo's memory may be made to the Florida Holocaust Museum or Southeastern Guide Dogs