Zippe Blitstein

In her 102 year Zippe passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love on father’s day Sunday, June 21, 2026. Beloved sweetheart of 74 years and beloved wife of 70 years of the late Harry Blitstein. Cherished and devoted mother of Paula, and the late Eric Blitstein. Proud and loving grandmother of 4 Jonathan Suindi (Jennifer), Adam Guindi, Chana Boyko (Avigdor), and Nina Rubin (Moshe). Adored great grandmother of 20 Kendrick Eric, and Gabriella Gloria Guindi; Leah Yehudis, Chaya Bracha, Mordechai, Batsheva, Malky, Ahuva, Yisroel Nosson, Avrohom Tzvi, Bassie, Avner, and Aharon Boyko; Chaim, Tova, Ahuva, Tehillah, Shlomo, Shmuel, and Hadassah Rubin. Predeceased by her loving parents Ida and Nathan Levine; In-laws Eli and Eva; brother Herbie Levine (Charlotte), Pauline Young (Ely); brothers-in-law Buddy Blitstein (Ruth), and Peter Blitstein (Eva). Zippe was born erev Yom Kippur on October 7, 1924 in Derazne, Poland, now western Ukraine. She grew up in a loving Yiddish speaking Orthodox home which valued Jewish traditions. Due to rising antisemitism the family left in 1930 from Gdansk. Although her father’s family had already settled in Boston, the Levines were not permitted to enter the United States due to the great depression and quotas on Jews. With the help of David Applebaum, they settled in Montreal. In 1931 with her parents in financial distress, her family packed up to return to Poland. Zippe refused and argued with her parents. Her father said “ Mir velen heren tzum kind.” (We will listen to our child). “A kindershe satchel iz oychet a satchel” (A child’s wisdom is also wisdom). 41 family members in Poland perished in the Haulocast.November 29, 1942 Zippe and Harry met at the Holtzman family home. Zippe wore a red dress and with her flaming red hair Harry was instantly smitten. They were sweethearts for 4 years until Harry graduated from McGill University and married on September 8, 1946 and were married for 70 years until Harry passed away. Theirs was a long and loving marriage.Paul and Eric grew up in a home that nurtured, protected, loved, and respected them. The home was imbued spiritually with Judaism, Shabbos, synagogue, and holiday celebrations. Culturally there were visits every year to New York City every year for theatres, museums, and music. Zippe and Harry were deeply involved in community life; Hadassah, the Concert Society of JPPS, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the B’Nai Brith.Zippe was a Renaissance woman. In Montreal she studied English Literature by Professor Paul Stacey of McGill University. Upon moving to Toronto in 2000, they audited graduate level English Literature courses at the University of Toronto with Professor Julia Reibetanz. She loved nature and did all the gardening at their homes. Zippe and Harry were intrepid travelers going to China in 1980, when it opened up, Europe several times a year, Machu Picchu and South America and many missions to Israel. Zippe did beautiful Petit Point embroidery. She was an exquisite writer and anyone receiving a letter from her in perfect handwriting, cherished it. At only 5 feet 2 inches she radiated elegance, style and class, making unforgettable entrances into any function. Her instincts were razor sharp. She studied French at the University de Montréal in the early 1960s and realized the “Révolution Tranquille” would cause political and economic upheaval in Quebec. Harry’s American company was expanding into Canada, building a manufacturing plant for 150 workers. Following Zippe’s advice, he built in Cornwall, Ontario not in Quebec. You do not live to 101 ½ without suffering unfathomable heartache. While in her 60s Zippe lost her beloved brother Herbie and her sister Pauline as well as 2 lifelong friends Charlotte Namerow Fineberg, and Sylvia Lefkovitz. The strongest force in nature is a mother who buries her child and is still breathing. When Eric died at age 57, Zippe managed to continue living as best as she could. When Harry died after 74 years together, bore this heartache with grace and dignity.Zippe left us on a glorious summer afternoon. The joyful weekend had been filled with Shabbos dinner and out of town visits from family. A concert at home of Yiddish and Hebrew songs by Janie Respitz. Our family is filled with profound gratitude for her fully lived, very long life.Our family expresses our deepest gratitude to Harry and Zippe’s exceptional caregivers who provided the ultimate care and compassion since 2013. Julius Velasco, Marithel Chiong, Carolina Felipe, Angie, Coney Magno, May Perez, Estelita, Jason, and Steve Jones of In Home Assisted Living. Expert Medical care was provided by Dr. Earl Schwartz, Dr. Sinha and Dr. Marni Howe and Nina R.N.