Pittsford, NY: On November 8th, 2020 Zelda LaForce, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family. Zelda was the matriarch of her cherished family. She is predeceased by her son Michael Levy and survived by her sister Audrey Ragona and brother Melvin LaForce; son Jeffrey (Maribel) Levy, daughters Wendy (Howard) Adkins and Cindy Garelick; five grandchildren, Joshua (Amanda) Adkins, Ryan Levy, Bradley (Kaylynn) Adkins, Maxwell Levy, and Dana (Robert) Adkins; three great- grandchildren, Jackson, Victor, and Declan; her nephews (Ross and David) and niece (Debbie). She leaves behind a close companion, Coleridge Gill and many close cousins and friends.
Zelda was a committed volunteer who served as co-chair for the Rochester AIDS WALK. In addition, she volunteered in the gift shop at the Jewish Home and supported geriatric patients at Highland Hospital. Everyone who met Zelda fell in love with her wisdom, strength, and ability to make people feel special. Zelda had a vivacious personality with exceptional style and grace.
The family would like to thank the Wilmot Cancer Institute and Dr. Patrick Reagan and his team for their exceptional care.
Donations can be made on her behalf to https://www.trilliumhealth.org/testing-treatment-and-prevention/ending-the-hiv-epidemic-by-2020 in loving memory of Michael.
Miss her so much 💜
I am so very sorry!
I too spent much of my younger years at 45 Towpath, where I was one of Zelda’s “other kids” and she was my “other mom.” Jeff, Mike and Wendy were like my brothers and sister growing up (for so many of us), and Zelda was everyone’s surrogate mother.
At the gathering spot for the neighborhood the front door was never locked and we would always just walk in (if was a different era). Zelda never minded, she had such a kind heart that welcomed all of us, she fed everyone, she put up with so much teenage “nonsense” from all of us; she loved us all and we loved her.
Such a beautiful, outgoing, wise and witty woman who was always a pleasure to be with, any conversation with her had a way of making your day brighter. In later years the house that she and Cindy shared was just as welcoming, in no small part due to Zelda and her ever-cordial hospitality. I still remember fondly the large Thanksgiving meal we all shared there several years ago.
Zelda you will truly be missed by so many of us who were lucky enough to be your friends. I only find comfort in knowing you’re in a better place now, and that you are reunited with Michael. Thank you for the love you shared so freely and the special way you touched all of our lives. God bless to your entire family (and all of your friends) at this difficult time, but we will all hold onto in the wonderful memories we have of you!
Butch and I are so sorry for your family’s loss. She was an amazing women
May Zelda’s soul Rest In Peace. She was an amazing lady. She will be very missed by many.
She was special. I spent more time in her house than my own growing up. She loved me like I was her own child. My day was always better after seeing her. So glad I got to spend time with her before we moved away. A very kind woman who will always have a special place in my heart. My life is truly better from Zelda being in it.
There is no words how this woman has inspired everyone she talked to. I will miss my cousin so much. May she RIP. I will miss her. I will always remember our talks. Such a positive person.
A beautiful tribute for a lovely woman
So sorry for your family’s loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time. xoxoxxo
Zelda was one of the coolest. She was iconic and her smile was contagious. She will be missed by everyone. RIP Zelda.
What a wonderful tribute to your mom, Wendy. She was a beautiful woman and will always be in your hearts.
Will Miss you!!! Zelda was such a kind and wonderful individual. She will be greatly missed. I’m so lucky to have had her in my life.
Although Zelda was a part of our Sephardic community when I was a child, I really got to know her as an adult. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. A woman of style and charm she remained committed to the causes she believed in. Hard to believe she is gone, harder to believe she was 80! How lucky for her family to have had such a positive, loving and supportive role model. My thoughts are with you all.
To Zelda’s family:
We feel very blessed to have know Zelda over a number of years in our neighborhood.
We will miss her smiles, style, grace, love for everyone, advise an our daily chats on multiple topics when our dogs visited with each other.
Sending hugs an ❤️ To all.
Lisa, Mark an Zevi Max 🐾🐾 Stein
Such a legend and an amazing legacy. I love and miss you so much, Gam.
I’m So Sorry For The Loss Of Cousin Zelda. She Has Always Been The Bright Light In Our Family. She Will Be Missed.
Rest In Peace.
Ellen Miller
Deepest condolences to you Cindy and Zelda’s family’s.R.I.P. Zelda you be missing deep in my heart 💜.
I love you Zelda!!!! Missing you so much. Thank you for everything you taught me and for your love and support, and for bringing depth and meaning and togetherness to my family. You are a true legend and you’re not off the hook!!!! I’ll be listening in my soul when I need your advice. 💔❤️❤️😍
Zelda you are special. She made my family happy and close. I’ll miss you . You will be forever in my prayers. Love you and miss you.
My heart goes out to the family, I always loved seening Zelda. She had such a huge personality and always made people laugh. God bless and keep smiling… till we meet again.
Cole, Christina, Christopher and I are thinking about you and the family during this difficult time. We love Zelda so much – she filled in all the cracks for us with love and laughter and made all of us stronger and closer. We miss her. Everyday. Take good care & hope to see you soon. Much love, Robin
We had the privilege of having Zelda as a volunteer here at Highland Hospital, she was a tremendous asset. Although, my fondest memories of Zelda was watching her with customers at Cohoe’s many years ago. I was a young woman and I would watch her through the racks of clothes as she helped so many woman feel better about themselves! I would think to myself “I want to be THAT cool when I grow up!”
Rest in peace friend, thank you for touching so many lives!
Joanie
To a wonderful woman who shared her love and friendship with me and my family. She will be missed but never forgotten. You will always be in my heart.
Love always………Gill
So sad to have heard of Zelda’s passing. She was a very kind and wonderful lady. RIP ZELDA!
If the time comes when the “COHOE” ladies meet again for monthly luncheon. That chair across from me will be sadly empty of a lovely lady to have known. And the conversations we had this past winter your smile will always be with us and you will be missed but never forgotten. Love you my friend. Love Beverly
Zelda-a lady of infinite style, wonderful mother and loving grandmother mother, a true friend-thru good and bad-we had many years of fun and laughter-Pitty
Jeff and Wendy – your mom was one of a kind. The room lit up when she walked in! We have so many memories from when we were kids, and she was such a good friend to our mom. Always in our hearts… Debby and Karen (Katz)
Awww I was JUST told about this, my condolences to Zelda’s family and friends! I was her plumber and we would talk for hours and after my work, she would give me relationship advice, life advice, etc. She confided many things to me as well. I will miss her so much! She will be in my heart and prayers!! Sam, ZP😁
Sorry Sorry For Our Family Loss 🙏