Elaine Guttman

GUTTMAN, Elaine (née Bessner)

Peacefully, at her home in Toronto, on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the age of ninety-three. Beloved wife of the late Leo Guttman for sixty-three years. Daughter of the late Jack and the late Mary Bessner. Loving and devoted mother and mother-in-law of Judith Guttman, Gita and Steve Berman, Louise and Scott Frankel. Cherished “Grandma Elaine” of Mara Berman and Michael Maze, Aviva Berman and Ezra Billinkoff, Shira Berman and Eli Franco, and Alex Blutman. Proud great-grandmother of Yogev, Nevo and Carmi Maze; Liora and Zev Berman-Billinkoff. Dear sister of the late Morton Bessner, and sister-in-law of Mildred Kolodny; Lois Lieff; the late Anne and the late Jack Laster, the late Freda and the late Harry Frolich, the late Dave Guttman and the late Reva Kantor. Special aunt of Ellin Bessner, Brenda Adessky and their families. The family would like to express their enormous appreciation to Maria Pilatan for her devotion and compassion over the past seven years.

Elaine obtained her teaching diploma at MacDonald’s College and later received her diploma in Family Life Education at Concordia University. At her core, our matriarch’s strength and focus was in building a Jewish home for her young family. Leo and Elaine were pioneers in Saint-Laurent and helped establish and support Congregation Beth Ora and United Talmud Torah. Elaine got involved with the Golden Age as a volunteer in the gift shop and kosher meat project. Enrolling herself in art classes at Cumming Jewish Centre for Seniors, unlocked her artistic flair, which kept her painting through her golden age. Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Sunday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. Burial at the Beth Ora Congregation Section, Kehal Israel Cemetery, D.D.O. Shiva to be announced. Donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimer Society of Canada, (800) 616-8816, Cumming Jewish Center for Seniors, (514) 734-1825, or to the charity of your choice.

If you are unable to attend the funeral service in person, you may join it virtually on Sunday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI44-JAG5dCDIjw49YmbZig/lives