Beatrice Morris Alexandor
Birth: May 10, 1895 in Montreal, Quebec
Death: February 6, 1937 (aged 41–42) in Surrey, (Vancouver) B.C.
Plot: Row C – Plot 21
Inscription:
BEATRICE
ALEXANDOR
1895 – 1937
Translation of inscription:
Beatrice
Alexandor
1895 – 1937
Biography:
Wife, mother, socialite
Beatrice’s parents immigrated from Russia in 1887. Her father, Moses Morris, became a clothing merchant in Montreal. Beatrice was the second youngest child. The family lived in the affluent Montreal neighborhood of Westmount.
Beatrice was an excellent student. The Montreal Gazette listed her academic accomplishments including a four year scholarship she received to attend High School under the Protestant Board of School Commissioners of Montreal.
On June 8, 1909, Beatrice’s older sister, Bessie married Alex Jacob “A.J.” Alexandor, a fourth generation British born furrier. A.J. established and ran a chain of fur stores under the name of A.J. Furs Ltd.
On September 9, 1918 the Montreal Gazette announced Beatrice’s engagement to A.J’s younger brother, Abraham Ernest “A.E.” He was the proprietor of the Ottawa branch of A.J. Furs.
The employees gave their boss and Beatrice a surprise banquet in honor of their engagement. According to the February 23, 1920 Ottawa Citizen, the couple were given a “beautiful mahogany mantle clock and two handsome mahogany candle sticks.” Beatrice was also given a “nice bouquet of violets and roses.” The article concluded “At the close of the banquet the guests enjoyed a very sociable game of cards after which the decks were cleared for dancing which lasted to the early hours of the morning.”
Beatrice and A.E. wed on March 1, 1920. The ceremony was held a Beatrice’s home at 4266 Western Ave, Westmount, Montreal. Rabbi Abramovitz and Rev Siegel of the Reform Congregation Shaar Hashomayim officiated. The Ottawa Citizen on March 5, 1920 recounted: “The bride carried a bouquet of white roses and orange blossoms, wore a Parisian gown of white kitten’s ear satin with embroidered tulle and silver lace. The veil was embroidered in pearls…The rooms were embowered in pink carnations, pink sweet peas and ferns. In the dining room the tables were arranged in horse-shoe fashion, and here the wedding breakfast was served.”
On March 6, 1920, the newlyweds set out on a two month honeymoon. They set sail for New York on the SS Imperator en route to England and then on to the major fur centers of Europe. On their return, they were among the first class passengers aboard the Empress of France, which docked in Quebec on May 9, 1920.
Their first child, Frances “Frankie,” was born on February 9, 1921. According to the 1921 Census of Canada, A.E., age 32, and Beatrice, age 26, were living in a six-room brick veneered home in Ottawa which A.E. owned. Evelyn “Bubby” was born on May 10, 1923. Their youngest daughter was Josephine “Josie”. No information about Josephine’s birth, marriage, or death was found.
The Alexandor’s comings and goings were often covered by the press. Beatrice’s visits to her sister Bessie’s summer cottage in St. Hilaire, Quebec, and later her own cottage outside of Ottawa, visits from her sister Rosalie, parties that Beatrice hosted or attended were all detailed by the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette and to some extent in the Victoria papers.
The Ottawa Citizen reported on March 4, 1924 that A.E. was leaving Ottawa and moving to Montreal to become Vice-President of A.J. Alexandor Ltd. His new job was to begin on April 1. Before he and his family moved back to Montreal, they hosted a gathering at their home which about thirty people attended. Assistant Manager Mr. J.A. Senecal, who would become the manager, presented A.E. with a gold mounted walking stick and Beatrice received a “handsome basket of flowers.” The paper described the evening as follows: “Mr and Mrs Bert O’Part entertained in delightful manner by giving a clever exhibition of sleight of hand tricks and most pleasing musical selections were contributed by Miss Jennis Gottdank who played the violin and by Miss Doris Mortimer, pianist. Supper was later served.”
In 1930, A.E. stepped down from his position of Vice-President of A. J. Alexandor Ltd. That same year his name appeared in Victoria’s City Directories for the first time. In September 1930, A.E. bought the Victoria branch of Foster’s Furs from Mrs. Mary Jane Foster, widow of Frederick Foster. First known as Fred Foster Furs and later called Fosters Furs, the business was established in 1895 by taxidermist and furrier Fred Foster.
The City Directory for 1935 listed Beatrice as the proprietor of Foster’s Furs for the only time. A.E. farmed on his four acre property in Gordon Head. Beatrice advertised in the January 9, 1935 edition of the Times Colonist that she had 25 leghorn pullets from an “excellent strain” for sale.
Frances’ and Evelyn’s trips and the parties they attended or hosted were often mentioned in the Victoria papers. The Times Colonist on February 12, 1932 reported that Beatrice had returned home after being in Vancouver for a few days. Only a little of Beatrice or Josie’s social life was recorded in the papers.
On June 30, 1940 Frances received a shorthand speed certificate for 110 words a minute. That year, Frances also earned a secretarial diploma (with bookkeeping) from St. Ann’s. She was listed as a stenographer in Vancouver’s City Directories in 1943 and 1944. Frances married Jack M. Wartels of New York on April 7, 1946 at the family residence which by 1942 was in Vancouver. She had two sons, Larry and Gary. Frances died on February 9, 1978.
Evelyn and Frankie visited with friends in Seattle for a few days in December 1939. She married Harry Weiner of Vancouver on September 6, 1944 at her home at 4409 Angus Drive in Vancouver. The couple moved to Ohio. They had two daughters, Lisa Weiner and Beatrice Weiner Barnett. Evelyn died on March 14, 2002.
On December 30, 1936, Josie and Evelyn attended the Children’s Ball at the Empress Hotel. In July 1939, Josephine won first-class honors in piano. There is a photo of Josie and other children waving good-bye to their teacher printed in the Victoria Daily Times printed on June 26, 1940. Josie hosted a tea in honor of a friend who was visiting from Seattle. She graduated the Vancouver School of Art in 1951. Between 1948-1951, Josie was listed as a student living at 4409 Angus Drive in Vancouver with her father and her aunt Julie. No further information about Josephine was found.
In the 1937 City Directory for Victoria recorded the Alexandor home address as 51 Marlborough Street in Gordon Head. A.E.’s sister Julie Bernstein immigrated to Canada with her husband Judah circa 1900. By 1936 she was widowed and began living at 51 Marlborough.
Beatrice died on February 6, 1937. Julia lived with her brother and his children until circa 1955. On June 29, 1937 the Daily Colonist reported that: “Mr. A.E. Alexandor and his three daughters, Frankie, Evelyn and Josie, accompanied by Mrs. J. Bernstein, 51 Marlborough St are leaving today for Qualicum Beach to spend the Summer months at their cottage.”
Julie was listed as “guardian” in the 1940 Voter’s list. She lived in Victoria until circa 1943. She moved to Vancouver and lived with A.E. Following the marriage of his daughters, circa 1955, A.E. moved back to Victoria, but Julia stayed in Vancouver where she lived until her death in 1980. Julie is buried in Vancouver.
A.E. became involved with the widow Helen Boas. It is unclear if they married, but Helen took Alexandor as her last name. The name on her gravestone is Helen Boas Alexandor. She is buried beside her first husband, Martin. A.E. is buried further down the same row beside his first wife, Beatrice.
Parents:
Annie Chaya Morris (1857-1930)
Moses Lazarus Morris (1857-1930)
Siblings:
Mary Miriam Morris Glauberson (1876-1962)
Sarah Leah Morris Gelber (1879-1954)
Bessie Fanny Morris Alexandor (1880-1930)
Abraham Morris (1887-1969)
Dororthy (Dora) Morris Hermant (1888-1975)
Evelyn Elva Morris Kert born in 1892
Rosalie Rosalyn Morris (1896-1939)
Amelia Morris born in 1890
Spouse:
Abraham Ernest Alexandor (1889-1962)
Children:
Frances “Frankie” Alexandor Wartels (Hollywood California) (1921-1978)
Evelyn “Bubby” Alexandor Weiner (Cleveland, Ohio) (1923-2004)
Josephine “Josie” Alexandor Hammer (Vancouver, B.C.)
Additional images:
The Jewish Cemetery of Victoria, British Columbia 