Zena Alexandra Shapiro

We share with great sadness but also celebrate the life of Zena Shapiro, 97, who passed away peacefully on August 9, 2022 at Valleyview Residence. Beloved wife of the late William Shapiro and devoted mother of son Mark Shapiro and daughter Marilyn Pearson. Loving grandmother of Robert Shapiro and cherished baba of Natalie and Brian Lawler, and Shannel Pearson. Great-baba of Avery, Colton, Peyton and Ryan. Dear sister of the late Norma Schwartz and sister-in-law of Irving Schwartz. Zena was an amazing person who was kind, generous and loved by all who knew her. A private service will be held as per Zena’s wishes.

Those wishing to honour her life can kindly donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at JDRF.ca/give/

Date of Death: Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Yahrzeit Day: 12 Av

Date of Funeral: Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Memorial Service Location: Private Family Service

Shiva Details: Private Family Shiva

Message of Condolence

Posted on 10.08.2022 - 9:47 AM

Judy Goldstein

Zena was a beautiful person. We met at Four Elms Retirement Home where everyone loved her. Sincere condolences to her family.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:09 AM

Dianne Erdos-Rush

My heart is broken. Dear, sweet and feisty Zena, you will be missed. From all your years organizing the Betel Centre Library, and you dropping by my office so that we could solve the world's problems, I will miss your wonderful spirit and your ability to always make me laugh. Your memory is a blessing to me, sweet Zena!

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:16 AM

Priscilla Weinberg

Marilyn, please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your entire family. I’m so sorry for your loss. Priscilla

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:17 AM

Shirley Shapero

Dear Marilyn & Family, Your family was her world! May she Rest In Peace. Cherish your wonderful memories. Love, Shirley Shapero

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:29 AM

Joanne Fisher

To the Shapiro family and extended family, we send our heartfelt condolences to you all. We have fond memories of Zena over the years as she was one of my mom’s closest friends. I recall celebrating her milestone birthday several years ago and her sharing in our simchas. She had a great smile and was always interested to know how we and our boys were doing. We lost touch when she left the previous retirement home and are sad to hear of her passing. She was a special person and will surely be missed. May you treasure those special moments and know no more sorrow. With love, The Fishers (Joanne, Michael, Dylan and Aaron) and Muriel Kornblum

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:30 AM

Sharon

Dear Mark, Marilyn and the entire family, All of Zena’s family at the Betel Family mourns with you today. To her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren-your “Buba” loved you so much and talked about you all the time. She was SO proud of all of you!!!! May your happy memories together give you much strength, comfort, and joy at this difficult time. Zena was like a Mother to me. She was a valued volunteer at the Bernard Betel Centre for over a dozen years and I am proud to have called her my friend. I am a better person for having known and loved her. I will miss her beautiful attitude and spirit in life, her upbeat and positive mindset always, her kindness and most of all her beautiful smile. You were always a classy lady, Zena, right to the end. You always dressed beautifully and looked beautiful, no matter how you were feeling. Zena-your suffering is over. Baruch Dayan Ha’emet. May you Rest In Peace. I will always remember you and you will always be in my heart. I love you. A long life well lived! Love Sharon

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 11:18 AM

Jennifer Brass

Dear Marilyn and family we are sending our sincerest condolences to all of you in the loss of an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Zena was a very special and giving woman and I know she will be missed by many!! Her many contributions as a volunteer and wonderful grandmother, cooking for her family into her 90s will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace. Wishing you strength during this difficult time. Love Jen and Fred

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 11:18 AM

Rose Iaboni

Dear Marilyn and Mark, Thinking of you and your family as you celebrate the life of your beloved mother. May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time. I will always remember Zina as a beautiful person instead and out. Love Rose and Frank Iaboni

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 12:04 PM

Sharron Bender

Dear Marilyn and Family, please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of you beautiful Mother. May the wonderful memories of better times be a blessing to you.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 12:44 PM

Samantha Silverman

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Baba Zena. I have such fond memories of her when I was child with Bunny. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 2:50 PM

Ashley

Sending our deepest condolences. Zena was always so kind, warm and full of zest. I will always have such fond memories of her!

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 4:35 PM

Honey Cooper

So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 6:24 PM

Margaret Porter

My deepest condolences to Zena's entire family. I was fortunate to get to know Zena over the last few years as a volunteer at Four Elms Retirement residence. Zena was one of the first people I got to know well, and I loved her dearly. She was such a kind-hearted, warm and giving lady. Our time together at Bingo or Poetry Club was just a delight to share, and Zena's poems were very often a highlight. I shall miss her kind smile, her warm hugs, her thoughtful ways and our wonderful chats together. Godspeed my dear friend.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 7:27 PM

Lisa

Dear Marilyn, Natalie and Shannel, Sending you my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Zena. She definitely had a very warm smile and I have many childhood memories that include her. May her memory be a blessing. Lots of love, Lisa

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 9:14 PM

Bev Stroll

An amazing, outstanding, sweet woman and I will forever cherish the very special and unique bond we shared and all of the beautiful memories and time we spent together over the last decade. Marilyn and Mark, my love always.

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Posted on 10.08.2022 - 10:24 PM

Shelley Rosen

Dear Marilyn and family I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful Mom. May her memory be a blessing. Shelley Rosen

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Posted on 11.08.2022 - 8:22 AM

Judi Cohen

I worked with Zena at Baycrest many many years ago. She was such a bright light. May her memory be a blessing

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Posted on 11.08.2022 - 8:43 AM

LILIAN THOMPSON

My deepest sympathy to Zena's family. Zena was a very good friend at Four Elms. We shared the same dining table and we both belong to the poetry club. Her poems were beautifully written and memorable. She was a very nice lady whose company I truly enjoyed. I miss her.

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Posted on 11.08.2022 - 3:44 PM

Mary Ann Girard

Marilyn, Natalie & Shannel and family heartfelt condolences to all. Your mother was an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother. I will always remember her smiling face and happy disposition. She had a love for life and continued to be active in the community well into her 80’s. Know that she will not be forgotten and will be missed by many. May memories of your mom bring you comfort during this difficult time. Love to all.

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Posted on 11.08.2022 - 6:03 PM

Howard and Louise Bagelman

To the Shapiro family May you have no more sorrow in your life. Your mother was a lovely women.

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Posted on 11.08.2022 - 9:25 PM

Kathy Cohen Conway

Dear Mark, Marilyn and families, Deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Zena was such a cheerful, wonderful person, always radiating warmth and positivity. I’m so lucky that our paths crossed so many years ago, when we quickly became great friends. I’m grateful for our friendship through the years. Zena has enriched my life in so many ways. She will always hold a special place in my heart and Barry’s. We will both miss her dearly. We have an indelible image of her beautiful smile, and gentle, elegant manner. She had such deep pride, love, and devotion for all of you. May your many cherished memories comfort you and give you strength in the days ahead. Lots of love, Kathy

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Posted on 12.08.2022 - 12:07 PM

Sandy Frankel

To the Shapiro family my sincere condolences to the passing of Zena, she was a beautiful lady. I worked with her at Baycrest and always stopped me to check in with regarding my family. In later years I met up with her at four elms where my mom and dad lived. Always a lovely greeting.

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Posted on 12.08.2022 - 1:29 PM

Sandy Frankel

To the family my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved mother. Sweet Zena I worked with Zena at Baycrest. She always wanted to know how my family was doing. In later years we met again at four elms where my parents were living. Zena always had a big hug for me, I loved her art work. Zena you will be deeply missed for those who knew you.

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Posted on 13.08.2022 - 8:45 PM

JANET GOODMAN and RALPH

lovely lady she will be missed

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Posted on 14.08.2022 - 9:58 AM

Ruth Shapiro

Mark & Marilyn. I was sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother. She was a wonderful woman who I always cherished as Aunt Zena even after my divorce. I have fond memories of her coming to our seders on Levitt Court. May her memory be a blessing.

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Posted on 14.08.2022 - 8:10 PM

Rochelle Levi

So sorry she was an Amazing lady

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Posted on 13.09.2022 - 4:53 PM

Mary Salerno

My deepest condolences to Marilyn and family, my prayers are with you and your family.

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