Ellen Weiss' Obituary
Ellen Weiss (Rusakow) July 11, 1928 - May 21, 2025 Our mom, Ellen Weiss (Rusakow) of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025.
Born on July 11, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Ellen was the second of five children born to Sadie and Louis Rusakow. She grew up in a very humble home with her older brother, Sydney, and three younger siblings, Doris (Dosh), Lynn (Tina), and Larry (Lockie), the first set of triplets born in Brooklyn — all of whom preceded her in death.
While on vacation in Florida, she met her future husband, Seymour (Sy) Weiss walking to a mailbox. They married six months later in upstate New York on January 5, 1952 and together had three children: Lori, Craig, and Lonny. The couple divorced in 1973, and Ellen never remarried.
She remained in Brooklyn, continued to work as a medical secretary for Dr. Korman (Oncologist) at Kingsbrook Medical Center and retired at 65 years old after working there 25 years. After that, she moved to Florida, where she lived the rest of her life. She loved the condo in Platina she chose and lived there until she could no longer live alone.
A gifted and passionate knitter and crocheter, Ellen always kept her hands busy. Over the years, she lovingly crafted countless hats, scarves, and sweaters, many of which became cherished gifts to people she cared about.
She especially enjoyed making baby hats, donating many to hospitals for newborns. Her creativity also extended to painting, needlepoint, and handmade jewelry. She loved to go thrift store shopping. She always came home with a bargain!
Her most precious treasures were Lori, Craig, and Lonny (her children). Lori’s children, Jeremy and Jordan, gave her tremendous pride, joy and love. She was beyond thrilled to visit them as they grew up in California and kept a very close relationship with them her entire life. She created her own unique name, not wanting to be called Grandma, Nanny, or anything common. She created “Grandelle” and that is what Jeremy, Jordan, and Levi always called her.
Ellen was known for her radiant smile, her love of dancing and canasta, and her quick wit. She was warm and sociable, yet treasured her privacy and found joy in quiet moments — often relaxing with a television show while working on one of her many projects. Her wardrobe was uniquely her own: stylish, colorful, and never quite matching — but always striking!!
She will be remembered for her strength, chutzpah, creativity, and the meticulous care she brought to everything she did. She will be remembered for being a wonderful “Mommy”.
Ellen is survived by her children, Lori and Craig, and her grandchildren, Jeremy Loren Dake, Jordan Kendal Dake, and Levi Carbonnel-Weiss. She was preceded in death by her youngest son, Lonny, who passed away from a massive heart attack at age 31.
In memory of our mom, Ellen, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s at:
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held on July 11, 2025 at 11:30 am.
(Which would have been her 97th birthday)!
Beth Israel Memorial Chapel 11115 Jog Road Boynton Beach, Florida 33437
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