Zippe Blitstein

In her 102nd 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 Guindi (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 Herbert 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 saychel iz oychet a satchel” (A child’s wisdom is also wisdom). 41 family members in Poland perished in the Holocaust. 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. They were married for 70 years until Harry passed away. Theirs was a long and loving marriage. Paula 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. Zippe and Harry were deeply involved in community life; Hadassah, the Concert Society of JPPS, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and B’Nai Brith. Zippe was a Renaissance woman. In Montreal she studied English Literature with 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 room. Her instincts were razor sharp. She studied French at the Université 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, she bore this heartache with grace and dignity. Zippe left us on a glorious summer afternoon. The joyful weekend filled with Shabbos dinner with family from out of town and 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 Escalada, Coney Magno, May Perez, Estelita Panganiban, Jason Bernas, and Steve Jones of In Home Assisted Living. Expert Medical care was provided by Dr. Earl Schwartz, Dr. Sinha, Dr. Marni Howe and Nina R.N.