Passed away on July 18, 2022. Predeceased by her husband, Jack Weinberg; parents, Ann & Max Kravetz; brother Arthur Chiam Kravetz. She is survived by her devoted family, including, sons, Bruce & Arthur (Laurie Enos); sisters, Phyllis & Sandy Kravetz; grand puppy, “Annie”; dear friend, Dr. James Romano, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Special thank you and appreciation to Dr. Joseph DiPoala, Jr., Rochester Regional Hospice Nurse, Olivia Johnson, and the staff of Bianca Associates for their wonderful care.
Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, July 20th at 10AM in Britton Road Cemetery.
For those unable to attend, services will be streamed by clicking on the Live Webstreams Tab of the funeral home website.
Donations may be made to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 (Donate Online), Rochester Regional Hospice, 330 Monroe Avenue, Suite 400 Rochester, NY 14607 (Donate Online) or a charity of your choice.
Because it was so hot out, Elaine’s son Bruce & Rabbi Sandra Katz emailed their eulogies in case people couldn’t hear because they were in the shade, or if they had to leave because of the extreme temperatures:
My Darling Mother!
Bruce H. Weinberg
Mom was one of the strongest people I have ever known!
She was supposed to have passed weeks before she actually did. Instead she clung to life with all her might. Life was sacred to her.
Where did she get such determination and will to survive? The answer is easy! She was born in 1929! The stock market was crashing around this sweet baby child! Her parents Max and Ann Kravetz and she endured the Great Depression and survived. Money was scarce and sacrifices were needed. She had a baby brother whom she adored! His name was Arthur Chiam. He died at the age of 5. She was heart broken! Many people might have become bitter. Not Elaine! Her disposition remained as sweet as honey! There was too much to do taking care of the two new arrivals – twin sisters Phyllis and Sandy.
Then came World War II. More sacrifices were required. The government asked people to forgo using certain materials needed for our soldiers. They also asked that lights be turned off at night so homes and factories could be spared from possible bombing. Mom was a great patriot and gleefully did what was necessary! She spoke of it often to me. Can that be said of some of our citizens today? Or would they lament that their rights were being challenged and not participate?
My mother graduated Benjamin Franklin High School where she earned many awards for her artistic talents! You can view many of her drawings hanging in Phyllis and Sandy’s house today.
A few years later she met my dad Jack Weinberg. She first saw him sleeping in a chair at Aunt Betty and Uncle George’s house. They soon fell in love and married in 1950. Now she had to muster all that strength and endurance to chase after two mischievous boys: my brother and I. Just kidding! We weren’t all that bad!
Mom was a great home-maker and cook, and entertainer! Maybe you have heard me say that I didn’t want to go off to college because I already had the best meal plan any young man would want at home with Mom!
Everyone came to our house. The great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins all enjoyed Mom’s wonderful hospitality and delicious food! She worked so hard, but always with a welcoming smile and warmth. This hospitality continued throughout her life. Even in recent years family and friends found delicious food and lively conversation around her dinner table.
When my grandparents, Max and Ann grew older Mom took care of them and saw to all their needs during the day until she was relieved by Phyllis and Sandy at night.
Mom stood by my father’s side unwavering as she encouraged him in his managerial duties at Monroe Muffler. There were tough times. Dad went through a number of serious operations. Mom was there to nurse him back to health. They remained in love and married for 60 years.
Mom and Dad were both totally devoted to their children, encouraging us throughout our lives taking pride in our accomplishments. We were their whole lives. In recent weeks Art and I have reflected that we were so lucky to have them as long as we did: 85 years for Dad and 93 years for Mom!
When we were growing up, Mom and Dad would not let us have a dog. They didn’t like dogs and Dad took great pleasure chasing them off of the front lawn. Well, along came little Annie. Mom was so excited. She helped me shop for her at Babies Are Us. When Annie first came home she was greeted by Mom with a receiving blanket. We used to drive everywhere with Mom in the passenger seat holding Annie in the receiving blanket. Annie would lay with Mom in her chair for hours and would give her lots of long, wet kisses! Even Dad warmed up to her eventually.
Mom had a great sense of humor! She wrote many of her recipes for me in a notebook. In the recipe for meatloaf, right after she told me to add ketchup and before mixing it all together she wrote: “Please go wash your hands.” Towards the end of her life she needed a Catheter. She hated it. I would tell her she needed it and that Nurse Olivia wanted her to have it. She looked at me and said, “Do you have one?” “No,” I said. She retorted, “Maybe you should get one!”
I would like to conclude with gratitude for my aunts, Phyllis and Sandy who took care of Mom tirelessly these last few years. They have a knack for understanding the medical issues. That came in handy. It was a team effort with my brother Art. A special thank you to Bianca Associates who made staying home for Mom possible. All of Tina’s people had such great care and compassion for Mom. A special thank you to Olivia, our hospice nurse who helped us steer our way through these last few challenging months
Rabbi Sandra Katz
Elaine Weinberg z”l
Elka Hesha bat Yechiel Michel & Chaya Rivka
(Smell something delicious baking)
· Celebrate life
· Join family: sons Arthur (Laurie) & Bruce; sisters Sandy and Phyllis, family friend Dr. James Romano, grand puppy Annie; nieces, nephews, and cousins
· Elaine’s life began in Rochester, first child of Ann & Max Kravetz – The family experienced tragedy when her little brother, Arthur, died from leukemia at age 5 – After the crucible of sadness, the addition of the twins brought joy – Elaine and her sisters Phyllis and Sandy remained close throughout Elaine’s life, and they spent many hours with her during her final illness
· Elaine took great pride in her sons (which Bruce could not say in his eulogy) – Actually, Elaine’s life brimmed with love – Her maternal kindness extended beyond the borders of family – Elaine took care of her parents, kids, husband, and sisters, of course – She also enjoyed feeding others, spending lots of time creating wonderful meals and desserts she delighted to share
· For the last two and a half years of his life, Jack lived at the Jewish Home – Elaine visited regularly, sitting with him as he held court in the solarium – A woman of simple elegance, she would sometimes wear an off-white top with pretty flower-shaped buttons and a tone-on-tone pattern – All these years later, she was wearing that top last Friday – I reflected on how the top seemed so quintessentially Elaine: understated, more interesting the more you look, and made to last
· So often, women’s creativity falls off the radar, so it is meaningful to remind ourselves of Elaine’s gifts – In addition to her cooking and baking, she also sang and painted – She even taught a neighbor to dance – Her gifts brought smiles to her family and friends, and that counts for something
· Elaine outlived the estimates the hospice folks gave, and reached her 93rd birthday last Thursday – The family has known for a long time that this day would come, and it’s still a bit surreal – Bruce and Arthur, Phyllis and Sandy, all spent time watching and waiting –
The family is grateful for the support of hospice, as well – Those who knew Elaine will miss her sweetness, her kindness, her compassion, and her selflessness, to name only
a few of her finer qualities – May the simplicity and goodness of her life inspire us, and may she rest in peace
