In memory of
Phyllis Levene
February 13, 1931 - September 16, 2026
Phyllis Levene, z"l, February 13, 1931-September 16, 2026; passed peacefully in her 95th year.
Beloved daughter of David and Rose Chodick; sister of Nikki, Sidney, Bob, and Yonna. Beloved spouse of Sidney (d. 1985) and Harvey Zaretsky (d. 2019); mother to Marsha Knapp (m. Harvey) and Jeffrey (m. Christina). Phyllis was a Bubbie for more than half of her life to Rachael (m. Paul) and David (m. Janet) and shone as Big Bubbie to Maddi, Simone, Aidyn, and Devin.
Born in London, UK, along with her sister, was evacuated from London in 1939 with scores of other young children to the safety of the countryside. After the war, she took up bookkeeping, a profession she would keep throughout her life. She married Sidney in 1951 and along with an infant Marsha, immigrated to Canada in 1957 while Jeffrey was born several years later.
During her 69 years in Canada, she developed lifelong friendships with “her girls”, and saw her family grow while staying close with family in England and Israel. A lover of the arts, Phyllis attended the symphony, the National Ballet, and theatre for her whole life.
After Sidney’s passing, she found a second partner in Harvey, himself a widower. Together they reveled in the birth of their first great-grandchildren and brought each love and adventure as they travelled the world.
Known the world-over for her matzo ball soup and cucumber salad, Phyllis was at her happiest surrounded by family at Yom Tov celebrations, watching her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren master her recipes.
We will miss our mom, Bubbie, and Big Bubbie with all our hearts.
Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Beloved daughter of David and Rose Chodick; sister of Nikki, Sidney, Bob, and Yonna. Beloved spouse of Sidney (d. 1985) and Harvey Zaretsky (d. 2019); mother to Marsha Knapp (m. Harvey) and Jeffrey (m. Christina). Phyllis was a Bubbie for more than half of her life to Rachael (m. Paul) and David (m. Janet) and shone as Big Bubbie to Maddi, Simone, Aidyn, and Devin.
Born in London, UK, along with her sister, was evacuated from London in 1939 with scores of other young children to the safety of the countryside. After the war, she took up bookkeeping, a profession she would keep throughout her life. She married Sidney in 1951 and along with an infant Marsha, immigrated to Canada in 1957 while Jeffrey was born several years later.
During her 69 years in Canada, she developed lifelong friendships with “her girls”, and saw her family grow while staying close with family in England and Israel. A lover of the arts, Phyllis attended the symphony, the National Ballet, and theatre for her whole life.
After Sidney’s passing, she found a second partner in Harvey, himself a widower. Together they reveled in the birth of their first great-grandchildren and brought each love and adventure as they travelled the world.
Known the world-over for her matzo ball soup and cucumber salad, Phyllis was at her happiest surrounded by family at Yom Tov celebrations, watching her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren master her recipes.
We will miss our mom, Bubbie, and Big Bubbie with all our hearts.
Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.