Elizabeth Zaitlin Levinsky, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 27, 1929 in Saco, Maine to the late Hyman and Rose (Katzer) Zaitlin, Elizabeth attended Saco schools and graduated from Thornton Academy and the University of Maine in Orono. Later in life, she and her husband, Philip, were among the first to attend USM’s Osher Senior College, which they enjoyed for many years.
Elizabeth married Philip Levinsky (a WWII Veteran) on November 18, 1951. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Elizabeth was blessed with three sons, whom she leaves behind: Kenneth and his wife Nancy (Silverman) Levinsky, Bruce and his wife Helene (Rodrigue) Levinsky, and Eric and his wife Lisa (Benson) Levinsky. Elizabeth is also survived by her 8 cherished grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren Denise (Levinsky) and Nick Coughlin and their son Brendan, Isaac Levinsky and Terry Storella and their son Anthony Storella Levinsky, Jacob and Pauline (McCann) Levinsky and their son Leon, Samuel and Jessica (Moser) Levinsky, Ian and Lauren (Augustine) Levinsky, Emma (Levinsky) and Brenden O’Brien, Andrea Levinsky and Gregory Levinsky.
Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, brothers Irving (Ruth) Zaitlin and Harry (Evelyn) Zaitlin, sister Dorothy Cooper, niece Sandra Rae (Zaitlin) Sime, in-laws Jacob and Goldie (Romanow) Levinsky and sister-in-law Saralee (Levinsky) Harrisburg.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, sister-in-law Faye (Levinsky) and her husband Marvin Snider, brothers-in-law Ben Cooper and Bob Harrisburg and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth seemed to have not one, but dozens of hearts, each filled with a personal, loving and ongoing connection to individual family members, friends and acquaintances. She was especially proud of her constantly growing family; how big it had become and yet how supportive and welcoming it remained.
Elizabeth was known for her dedication to celebrating holidays, birthdays and anniversaries, and attending all of her grandchildren’s recitals, sporting events and plays. She had a zest for taking and collecting photographs and was the historian of her family’s milestones and accomplishments. Her numerous albums brim with joyful photos that capture her immense devotion to her family and friends.
Elizabeth and Philip enjoyed hosting family and friends at their home in Portland and their cottage in Old Orchard Beach. Her superpower was her ability to gather everyone together for holiday celebrations and family events.
She taught us all to love, appreciate and forgive one another, and we formed a tight knit family because of her. Her deep-rooted wish for all was to live fulfilling lives, surrounded with loving friends and family and a strong belief in G-D to help through challenging times.
Elizabeth sends her love and appreciation to her caretakers including Birchwoods, New England Rehab and Nancy Gadbois.
A funeral took place on Wednesday, December 4, 2023, at Temple Beth El in Portland, ME.
In lieu of flowers, Elizabeth requested that donations be made to her great grandson Anthony Storella Levinsky who is fighting CASK Gene Disorder and needs lifesaving gene therapy. You may donate at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/anthony-has-a-life-threatening-brain-disease
Elizabeth (written by Elizabeth Zaitlin Levinsky)
I Am From…After George Ella Lyon
I am from loving parents who were born in Russia and proud to be American citizens.
I am from a Jewish family where spirituality filled the home.
I am from a family of my own, loved more than life itself.
I am from a place where love is freely given and freely returned.
I am from a place of looking back and also looking forward to life.
I am from the place where values are not written in cement, but evolve with knowledge and an open
mind.
I am from seeing a loved one’s being born and loved ones dying.
I’m from the circle of life.
I am from Old Orchard Beach, the sound, the smell, and the sand.
I am from daughter, sister, wife, mother, Bubbe and Great Grand Bubbe.
I am from a place where I am watching my children be me.
I am from Maine, Saco, Orono, and Portland.
I am from here!