We celebrate the life and passing of Fanny Labin (born Fanny Findling).Born on Nov. 3rd, 1929 in Cologne, Germany, she was a brave and resourceful, Holocaust survivor that migrated to Detroit from Brussels, Belgium in 1948.She passed peacefully at her home in Laguna Woods on Dec. 22nd, 2017 from leukemia.

Fanny was born to Wolff David Findling and Etla Gottesdiener in Cologne, Germany in 1929.As the 2nd oldest of 5 kids - Joe (the oldest), followed by Fanny, Fred, Martin and Regina - she soon learned to be fiercely independent and resourceful in pre- and WWII Europe.Education and learning were important values of the Findlings and she was a curious and voracious learner at an early age.

Separated from her parents and siblings at a young age, Fanny spent her early childhood and teens in hiding with sympathetic families throughout Germany, France and Belgium.After her mother was seized by the Germans and sent to Auschwitz and her father was deported, detained and killed in Poland, she eventually found her way to a convent hiding girls in Rochefort, Belgium, St. Vincent of Paul, where she deepened her love of the piano and singing while in hiding.

In 1948, she secured passage on a ship from Europe to America for her and her sister, Regina, to be reunited with her 3 brothers in Detroit, MI.

She graduated from Central High School in Detroit in 1950 and eventually met Jack Labin, a medical student.They courted at the regular scheduled dances and eventually married.They moved to San Francisco for Jack's residency and eventually settled in Los Angeles to start his medical practice.Fanny continued her education with college courses ranging from history, social studies to politics and remained active with the League of Women Voters.

Fanny and Jack adopted two infant children, Karen Michelle in 1961 and Ronald Jay in 1967.The family moved to Laguna Hills in 1977, and tragically shortly after, Karen was killed in a car accident.She was devastated by the loss but her resiliency kept her strong.After 36 years together, her husband Jack passed suddenly in 1994 and she moved into Leisure World (now Laguna Woods in 1994) where she remained fiercely independent until her passing.

She is survived by her son Ron, his wife Marijo and her 2 grandchildren, Nicolas and Anthony in Westfield, NJ.In addition, Fanny is survived by her brothers and their families - Joe and Fred (in MI), Martin (in CA) and Regina (in OR).

Fanny's interests were many.As a piano player and Soprano opera singer, music was very important in her life.According to the conductor, "Fanny was a vibrant and integral part" of the Village Chorale of Laguna Woods and gave the gift of her singing around the world.She's graced stages from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles to Papal audiences in Rome to bridges in Prague - and to anyone that would listen - to share her beautiful voice.

Fanny and Jack were also bridge players and competitive partners throughout their lifetimes.She was a regular at the Laguna Woods bridge club and loved the challenges and thought-provoking nature of the game.

She became an avid traveler and explorer later in life and made frequent trips to Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico and throughout North America including regular visits to San Francisco and New York City where her son lived.Her curiosity and desire to learn were constant motivators and she enjoyed all that travel could offer for new experiences.

Fanny's caregiver nature also led to a love of pets and gardening.Her childhood days of tending a green house on a rooftop in Belgium led to love of plants and landscaping. You could often find oranges from her garden sitting on her window sill for anyone to enjoy and her home was always filled with a variety of plants.Pets were also an important and regular part of Fanny's life.Whether it was 2 dogs and 2 cats in the 70's, a rescue greyhound dog in the 90's or her surviving cat, Minou, she always loved the companionship and rewards of having pets around the house.

Lastly, and very importantly, Fanny was a lover of knowledge.She was a voracious reader.Learning, education and debate were so important to her.During her oral history given for the Anti-Defamation League in 1992, she explains how she'd turn to books and education when things became difficult.Education was the foundation for all success in life, she believed, and her parents instilled that philosophy at an early age.She had the gift of expression (singing and spoken word) and hopes by sharing her family's story, the knowledge will provide insights and warnings for the generations that follow.

Fanny is one of those once-in-a-lifetime characters and had her own unique approach and way of doing things.For those lives she touched, she'll always be watching out for us with a song in the wind.

Services for Fanny will include a visitation on Tuesday, January 2nd from 2-4pm at McCormick & Sons in Laguna Woods.Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, January 3rd at noon at Harbor Lawn - Mt. Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa, CA.

Please join us in remembering Fanny. Through this site, we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.