Lenore F. Levy's Obituary
Lenore died suddenly this week in Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort Myers, after a brief illness. She was aged 77. She leaves behind her husband of 55 years, Theodore (Ted) Levy, her son Stephen Levy, daughter-in-law Julia Thom-Levy, and beloved grandchildren, Leo Levy age 15 and Max Levy age 13. Also of course her long-haired mini-dachshund, Damien.
She was born in Bronx, NY and grew up in West Hempstead, NY. She attended Ohio State, graduated from Michigan State in 1968, and received her master's degree in 1971. She and Ted lived in North Jersey until 1978, and then in South Jersey for 40 years. They relocated to Fort Myers, FL in 2018. Wherever she lived, she created beautiful gardens, as she loved flowers, colors, and art.
Lenore was ever the teacher. She spent 34 years as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist, and after retiring from the public school system she had a second career as a Literacy Consultant for Pearson for six years. She loved reading, teaching reading, mentoring her colleagues, and teaching teachers. She deeply believed in the value of books and the power of reading, and she read and gave hundreds of children's books to Leo and Max, who love to read.
You knew when Lenore was in the room. First you heard her voice, then you saw her smile. She was not shy about her thoughts or opinions (or anything else.) She was outgoing and funny, and never took herself too seriously. She had many friends, and loved getting together with them, especially over a meal or wine. She was loyal and steadfast, and she was always there for them.
She was not without faults. Lenore was irretrievably tech-challenged (which she acknowledged), and she was a haphazard driver (which she did not.) She never traveled light (her school friends knew her as the bag lady, because she never carried fewer than three) and she couldn’t carry a tune.
Lenore loved: family, friends, kids, babies (if she saw one, they were playing peek-a-boo within two minutes), socializing, traveling, eating, wine, playing and watching tennis, Broadway theater, biking, kayaking, playing cards (she was a bridge Life Master), dogs, reading, and the Real Housewives of Wherever.
She was a tireless advocate for issues she cared about. For many years she organized “Smash Breast Cancer,” a tennis-themed fundraiser involving tennis matches, a lunch, golf activities, and a dinner. No matter how busy she was Lenore was always ready to volunteer for a cause she supported, especially when she could be with friends. She visited hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and rehab facilities with Damien, who is a certified therapy dog.
In lieu of flowers or food, her family encourages you to honor Lenore with a tax-deductible donation to https://www.breastcancer.org/ or Reading is Fundamental, https://secure.rif.org/page/45638/donate/1 Lenore’s email [email protected] is still working and monitored.
Lenore will be long remembered and greatly missed.
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