Her family left Czarist Russia around 1905 due to the anti-Jewish pogroms then being conducted. She was born and raised in Montreal.

She founded CANFAR, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.

In 1979, running as a Liberal candidate for the Canadian House of Commons in the riding of Nepean—Carleton, she lost to Walter Baker.

Being a big backer of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, they named one of its theatres in her honour in March 1983. Earlier, she had made a donation to help renovate the 876-seat theatre where The Canadian Stage Company (CanStage) performs.

She was also a significant force behind Opera Atelier.

Four days after celebrating her 67th wedding anniversary, Appel lost her two month old battle with lung cancer and died in a local hospital, aged 86.

She is survived by her husband Bram, two sons and five grandchildren.

Actors, writers, producers and politicians were among the 250 mourners at the funeral of philanthropist Bluma Appel on Tuesday July 17 2007..

Appel was praised for her charm, persistence and generosity over many decades of involvement in the arts and charities.

She was 86. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer two months before her death.

Though most often cited for her love of the arts and theatre, the irreverent and spirited Appel was also a champion for AIDS-related causes, equal representation for women in male-dominated industries, and scientific and medical research.

Ellie Tesher, a longtime friend and syndicated newspaper columnist said, "Beyond being a philanthropist, which is the way she's being cast, she was a social justice activist, Bluma was constantly finding causes before they became mainstream and going at them in a unique way, she was an inspiring, caring, compassionate, fiercely determined friend to Toronto and friend to women."

Appel was an officer of the Order of Canada.

In June 2005, Bluma was one of only three people ever recognized with the prestigious honourary trophy at the annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts.

In 2007, she was named Canadian of the Year by The Canadian Club.

Bluma Appel is Gone but not Forgotten.

She is buried at Pardes Shalom Cemetery.

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