Obituaries
View our most recent obituaries for our Rochester and Victor locations.
Elaine M. Sanzel
Add A Memories and Photos 
Posted by Ilana Burke on June 8, 2026
Dear Ivan and Family, Please accept my most sincere condolences. May her memory be a blessing to all of you.
Dear Ivan and Family. Marilyn and I send our deepest condolences to you all on Elaine's passing. Unfortunately we only had a brief opportunity to sit with you and Elaine at dinner when you first came to St. John's before she took ill and had to leave. We sincerely feel that we missed out in getting to know a wonderful, intelligent, talented person. May her memory be for a blessing to all of you. With our love. Marilyn and Burt
Ivan & family, I was so saddened to hear of Elaine’s passing. She was such a huge part of my daughter’s lives growing up in day care at the JCC. I loved running into her to just catch up. She was a special person and I will remember her thoughtfulness and caring. Sending my condolences to you Ivan. I enjoyed our friendship while I was at the JCC. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Dear Sanzel family, Mom was the first face we saw and met so many years ago in Rochester when we left Long island. We had just moved In and I was pitching packing boxes out. Over 50 years of respect, friendship and love. We will always keep her in our hearts.
Dear Ivan and family: So sorry to hear of Elaine’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Uncle Ivan and cousins Jeffrey, Ken, and Hillary, I am so sorry for your loss, the world has lost a beautiful soul. I didn't get to know you or be close as I would have liked, as I was raised quite far away. However, I will always cherish my limited memories, Meeting your mom in Albany on Holmes Dale, with Aunt Beth and Uncle Tommy and Shoshana and Danny, Friday night table, eating chicken soup with matso balls, and listening to her and my Zayde speak of their childhood is a beautiful memory. They looked a lot alike, and she affectionately called him "Sunny." The 2 of them were artists, they were protective and warm, and you could easily tell they shared a special sibling bond. In recent years, your mother was a great support to me through Facebook messaging. When I was going through a scary time, she made sure to let me know how much she loved and worried about me. During a couple of phone calls recently, I called her "Tanta!" and she got such a kick out of it, she laughed a great laugh. When I close my eyes, I can hear her voice, strong and kind and humorous. Her words were loving, I could almost feel them hugging. May you be comforted, dear family, in the knowledge that you really had the best of Mothers. With all my love, Ilana (Rebibo) Burke, Miriam's daughter
Jeff, my friend, I’m so sorry, please accept our condolences on the passing of your beautiful and amazing mom 💐 Amanda and I send you love and prayers and hugs during this difficult time. Her love lives on through you and everyone in your family, God bless
Dear Sanzel Family, So sorry to hear of your loss of Elaine. She will always be in your hearts. Lou and Enid
Ivan, My sincerest condolences on the passing of your dear wife. May her memory be a blessing.
Ivan, Jeffrey, Ken and Hillary; my heart goes out to you on the love of your beloved wife and Mom:( I had the honor of spending much time in her JCC infant room and have awesome memories. May your memories grow stronger every day, and may your loss be softened by knowing how much so many people cared about her. Your are all in my thoughts.
DEAR KENNY: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL REMEMBER ME, WE WORKED DECADES AGO IN THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY'S, TRANSIT POLICE DISTRICT #1. I LOST MY FATHER WHEN I WAS A BOY, MY MOTHER OVER 30 YEARS AGO. TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY I AM VERY SORRY, YOUR MOTHER APPEARS TO HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS ARTISTIC TALENT AND A STRONG LUST FOR LIFE. GOD BLESS YOU AND FAMILY. KEVIN O'DWYER