Of the Dwor and Devor Families

Adapted from the Canadian Jewish News, April 21, 1961

Mrs. Bella Dwor, widow of Max Dwor, died in Port Colborne Ont at age 94, the CJN reported in April 1961.

Pioneers of Port Colborne, the late Mrs. Dwor and her husband, who predeceased her in 1932, were among the founders of the Port Colborne community and its Agudath Achim Synagogue. The synagogue building was formerly the Dwor family residence and was the centre of religious life of the community.

Bella Dwor was born in Abella, Latvia and came to Canada in 1900. She lived in Hamilton and Niagara Falls before settling in Port Colborne about 1916. She was a life member of Hadassah and a founder of Port Colborne Hebrew Ladies Aid. She was survived by a daughter, Mrs. Clare Cohen of Port Colborne, and sons Ben Devor of St. Catharines, William Devor of New York, and Richard F. Dwor of Port Colborne. ♦

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Adapted from the Canadian Jewish News, November 6, 1964

John R. Devor, at age 49, became the first vice president of the Zionist Organization of Canada after being active in Young Judea and other organizations.

His family came from Latvia and his mother Kate emigrated from England. Kate Devor is a leader of Mizrachi Women and a lifelong Zionist.

Born in St. Catharines, John and his family came to Toronto in 1933 after he had graudated from high school and had begun work as a salesman. He began selling Zionism and Young Judea wherever his business took him. His wife is the former Mildred RItterspoon, a past president of Hadassah. ♦