Esther “Eti” Weiss (Z”L), 69, of Delray Beach, FL, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones on June 19th, 2019 (16 Sivan 5779), after a hard-fought, year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
A native of Israel, citizen of both Israel and the US, and former resident of New York City, Eti was known for her lively spirit, sharp wit and bold sense of style, and admired for her huge heart, caring nature and undying devotion to her family and friends. She touched the lives of many along her journey, gave her heart and soul to her adoring family, and made the world a far more interesting place for everyone who knew her.
Eti will be remembered lovingly as the quintessential Jewish matriarch, with a twist. Her kitchen stove was always on, pots simmering with home-cooked Israeli and Iraqi food, while she sang and danced to upbeat Israeli and Mizrahi music blaring out of her stereo. Her door was always open, and for those who were not well enough to make it, she would deliver – most often without request, just because. A true tzadika, many would testify.
Those who knew her early in life describe a highly-driven, clever and somewhat mischievous girl, with lots of charisma and an unbreakable spirit. Her lust for life carried her from her modest beginnings in Southern Tel Aviv to the Big Apple, where she worked in fashion and established herself as a linchpin in the local Jewish community. With time, these pursuits took a back seat to her role as a mother, and later as a grandmother, as she moved with her family back to Israel, and then to Florida.
Eti possessed an indescribable magnetism. A special way of making people feel at home in her company, almost immediately upon meeting her. And once in her orbit, they wanted to stay and soak up her rays. Those of us who knew her well, her family especially, feel immensely lucky to have been blessed with her love, leadership and companionship. Her passing leaves an unfillable void. She will be missed deeply, forever.
Services were held Thursday, June 20th at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, 11520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach, Florida at 3:30 pm.