Florence Shapol

Florence Shapol, 81, of Cape Coral, died Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral. She was born Sept. 19, 1926, in Lewiston, Maine, a child of Tony and Rose (Rioux) LeBourdais.

A resident of Cape Coral since 1970, she became a concert violinist at age 7 and was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. She and her husband, Michael, moved from New York in 1970 and opened Cape Coral’s first music center. Together they had a dance band called the “Anytimers,” playing at numerous Cape Coral functions.

She was a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony and played violin at several churches in Lee County. She also performed in the orchestras for Bishop Verot High School musicals and Broadway Palm Dinner Theater shows such as” Fiddler on the Roof.”

She was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and was always available for volunteer functions when called upon. She helped raise more than 20 foster children from broken homes.

She was the wife of Michael Shapol, who died in 1975.

She is survived by her children, Karen (Keith) Cannon-Lindahl of North Fort Myers, Lori (Jerry) Ludington of Cape Coral and David (Rosa) Shapol of Cape Coral; grandchildren, Karen and Joel; brothers, Raymond (Mary) LeBourdais and Joe; and several cousins, nieces and nephews in New York, Connecticut and Maine.

A private memorial service will be conducted for the family today.

Memorial gifts may be sent in her name to Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Arrangements are by Affordable and Trusted Cremation Center at Horizon Funeral Home, Fort Myers.