The family and friends of Zipora Whyman are celebrating a life richly lived, following her death at the age of 86. Known for her radiant goodness and boundless energy, Zipora dedicated herself to her family, her art, and her legendary cooking.
A Culinary Bridge Between Cultures
Zipora's warmth, spontaneity, and extraordinary generosity connected her with people from all walks of life. She was particularly renowned for her made-to-measure meals, which thoughtfully blended the vibrant flavours of the Middle East with European culinary traditions. She lovingly spoiled her family and friends, always taking their specific preferences into account.
Her connection to the Middle East was deeply personal. She was born in Jerusalem in what was then British-controlled Palestine. Her parents, Esther and Ovadia Ella, were Kurdish Jews who had emigrated from northern Iraq in the 1920s. Zipora was the eighth of nine children.
From Kibbutz to Britain
A formative period of her life was spent living and being educated on two kibbutzim in northern Israel – first Gan Shmuel and later Kibbutz Sa'ar. It was on Kibbutz Sa'ar that she met Edward Whyman, a British volunteer from London. The couple married in 1964.
Their life together was one of adventure and movement. After a year in Ghana where Edward taught, they settled in the Manchester area. As Edward built his career as a nuclear physicist, the family, which included her children, also lived in Paris, Brittany, Jerusalem, Leicester, and London. During this time, Zipora was a devoted mother, even teaching her child Hebrew and modern Hebrew literature to A-level standard.
An Artistic Legacy in Flowers
In 2002, Zipora channelled her creativity into a new passion, completing a college course in floristry. She developed a love for flower arranging and created a beautiful collection of pressed-flower pictures. Her talent was recognised in floral competitions across the country, with judges praising her work as exquisite.
Zipora Whyman is survived by her husband Edward, her children, and a grandson, Joel. She is remembered as a woman steadfastly loyal to her family, forever busy creating, and forever radiating kindness.
