With heavy hearts and much love, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Yetta Levit, at the age of 96.

Mom was born on May 6, 1928, into a close-knit orthodox family with three sisters and two brothers. She attended William Whyte School, Talmud Torah night school and St. John’s Tech. During her youth she was involved in Young Judea and was later active in the I.L. Peretz School. She met our dad Jack when she was 18 and they married four years later. They had three children.

Mom had a gift for seeing the good in everybody. Her welcoming smile and the way she truly listened made everyone feel special. She lit up the room with her warm, vivacious personality.

She was young at heart and had an incredible zest for life. Her energy was remarkable. Everything was a new adventure that she couldn’t wait to undertake. Every person was a rich encounter.

Mom had a special love for little children. She effortlessly engaged with them and always made them smile and feel special. Her appreciation for beauty extended to everything in nature. She never missed an opportunity to admire colourful flowers or marvel at a Banyan tree in Hawaii. She taught us to slow down and see the world through her eyes, always pointing out the beauty that surrounded us.

As our family record keeper, she lovingly recorded every detail of our lives. She was unbelievably organized. Once when we asked to find an invoice from her wedding five decades earlier, she located it within minutes.

Theatre and music were a big part of her life. She had season’s tickets to the opera, to MTC, to the ballet and to the symphony. In later years, when illness slowly diminished her mobility and spontaneity, her strength of character and good, calm nature remained. Music comforted her and she attended the Stay Young Club and Gwen Secter.

Mom built a close-knit Jewish home full of Yiddishkeit and Zedakah – her focus always being on keeping the family close. Friday night dinners were very special with all the children and grandchildren gathered around, lighting the shabbat candles. Mom especially enjoyed sharing shabbat and holiday dinners with her siblings. It gave her such pleasure being the hostess at these simchas – she just sparkled!

Mom was a very devoted and loving daughter to her parents, Tybel and Beryl. Her dedication to them as unparallelled, which she demonstrated by caring for them with compassion, patience and unwavering commitment. She also treated our dad’s parents, Velodie and Molly, as her own.

Mom and dad spent 64 wonderful years together until his passing in 2014. She was always there to support Dad’s many creative business endeavours. Her wise counsel helped make everything easier. The saying “behind every great man is a great woman” couldn’t be more true.

Travel was an enjoyable and important part of her life. She loved our family trips where she was excited to expose us to different cultures, different geography and different experiences. She also loved travelling with her siblings and friends.

Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Jack, parents, Tybel and Beryl Minuk, sisters, Molly Lachter (Norman), Clara Zamick (Max), Evie Rosenbaum (Jack) and brothers, Harry Minuk (Annette) and Norman Minuk (Goldie); her parents-in-law. Molly and Velodie Levit and sister-in-law Eva Moser (Leo). She was the last of a very close-knit family.

She is survived by her children, Diane (Raymond), Shelley (Jaye) and Keith (Linda), her grandchildren, Brent (Anna), Tara (Jed), Darren, Hannah, Marina, Vanessa and Natasha and her great-grandchildren, Micah and Ivy and many nieces and nephews.

We are extremely grateful for the kindness and gentleness shown by mom’s wonderful caregivers, many of whom have felt like extended family to us. They are Marga Torres, Terry Cristobal, Nancy Bilibli, Lorenza del Rosario, Sally Magana, Fe Yap, Cathy Tan, Ginah Guaro and Evelyn Dela Cruz.

We also extend special thanks to Dr. Fotti and family friend Dr. Manishen for their genuine compassion and concern.

Pallbearers were Raymond Hall, Darren Hall, Brent Calnitsky, Jaye Miles, Sheldon MInuk and Mark Golub.

Mom lived her life as a beacon of selflessness. Her heart had room for everyone.

Mom, you gave us so much. You taught us to love deeply, to cherish family and family traditions, and to find joy in the simplest things.

You are loved beyond measure. You will be missed. You will be remembered.