It all began at a Hillel dance at the University of Toronto, when Samuel Librach laid eyes on Evelyn Spector. “That is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he said. The rest is history, culminating in a beautiful marriage that spanned 71 years. 

Samuel and Evelyn were both born in Toronto to immigrant families from Poland and Russia, respectively. Samuel pursued medicine, attending medical school at the University of Toronto, starting a tradition that made the name Librach synonymous with doctor. While completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Brooklyn, New York, Evelyn supported them by working two jobs, one at Macy’s and the other as a bookkeeper. 

Upon returning to Canada, Dr. Samuel Librach began his medical practice at a hospital in Brantford, Ontario, and later settled into his practice at Doctors Hospital in Toronto, where he served for more than 40 years. He ultimately became chief of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Doctors Hospital and held that position for 19 years. Dr. Librach communicated fluently with his patients in Italian and Portuguese and delivered more than 14,000 babies during his career. Dr. Librach retired from medicine at age 87. 

Evelyn’s pride was education. She returned to school in her 40s and earned her bachelor of arts degree at U of T. Their growing family acquired real estate, and Evelyn took the helm of managing their portfolio until she was in her 80s. 

Family was their greatest passion. Evelyn and Samuel insisted their children become professionals, which they did—a doctor, lawyer, dentist, and architect. The heartbeat of the family, Evelyn always hosted Shabbat dinners and the Jewish holidays in their home. She and Samuel always held hands and spoke broken Yiddish as their secret language. They were admired for their deep love and respect for one another. 

The Librachs’ involvement in philanthropy came later in life, when they felt it was time to give back. They became large benefactors to the Israel Cancer Research Fund, the University of Toronto (where they made two leadership gifts to the medical school), and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Evelyn passed away in 2023 and is survived by her husband, Samuel; their children and their spouses, Dr. Clifford and Judy Librach, Bonnie and Arthur Fish, Dr. Mark and Heather Librach, and Richard Librach and Tara Fingold; their grandchildren Max, Lily, Zachary, Ely, Joseph, Dawn, Matthew, Jonah, Adina, Evan, Cole, and Mimi; and their great-grandchildren Aidan, Myles, Riley, Skylar, and Meir. 

Together, Samuel and Evelyn proved that a lifetime of love, learning, and giving can change the world for generations.