Fine art was never a natural talent for Florence "Tibby" Weisberg, but she had an eye for the kinds of artwork that inspired people. And for 56 years, she brought her artistic vision to life as art director for the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

Ms. Weisberg, who retired from the federation in 2003, died Friday at UPMC Passavant in McCandless. She was 85.

"She was an extremely kind and delightful person," Edith Shapira, a longtime family friend recalled. "She married my father's lifelong friend and since then, she was a part of my family."

Ms. Weisberg, who in 1955 married the late Saul Weisberg, a longtime associate director of the Jewish federation, did not have any surviving immediate family members.

She was born into a family of three children, and grew up on Halket Street in Oakland. She studied physical education at the University of Pittsburgh and went on to work as a map maker for the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, Ms. Shapira said.

After the war, Ms. Weisberg took a job with the United Jewish Fund, where she utilized her drafting and layout skills to take on the role of art director, a position she held for more than 50 years.

"She was one of those people who were always happy and she was kind to be around," Ms. Shapira recalled. "She did fine art on her own, and it was a lifelong passion, but she didn't discover it until she was at the federation."

An avid gardener, Ms. Weisberg was very active in Pittsburgh's Jewish community, Ms. Shapira said.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. today, followed by funeral services at 11 a.m., in the Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside.

Tributes may be made to the Florence "Tibby" and Saul Weisberg Endowment Fund of the United Jewish Federation Foundation, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh 15213.