Zeena Levine

Zeena Levine, age 90, passed away at Bellevue Hospital, surrounded by her sister, Marilyn Cutrona, daughter, Abbey Fischman. grandson, Cameron Scharf and dear friend, Ryan McEntee on November 29, 2025.

Zeena was born on April 12, 1935 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Sarah and Louis Levine. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Phillip, whom she loved dearly and treasured the time with him particularly playing tennis.

Zeena is survived by her sister, Marilyn Cutrona, her daughter, Abbey Fischman, son-in-law, Patrick Scharf and three grandsons, Cameron, Joshua and Zachary Scharf, all of whom she loved dearly. She also leaves behind her cousin, Paula Jones, who brought her such joy to reconnect with after many years. Zeena never knew a stranger, but she leaves behind a few very special friends Pauline Corriveau, Wayne John, and Ryan McEntee. She will be deeply missed by her family and many other friends.

Zeena was an incredible woman who persevered through her life. She graduated high school and went to college at night while working as a secretary. She worked in various capacities for insurance and oil companies as well as with a bank, ultimately in a supervisory role. After she retired, she went to work part time at a college office for several years.

While Zeena experienced some significant challenges in her life, she was resilient, focusing her energy on her athletics, including running a marathon and playing competitive tennis. She was intellectually curious, friendly, compassionate, generous, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Zeena loved walking and ventured out most days, as well as loved sitting in the park, talking to friends, learning all she could, reading, going to her favorite diner or getting her hair and nails done. Until the day before she went to the hospital, she worked with her beloved physical therapist and friend, Wayne, to strengthen her body. She loved to travel and ventured to many places in the world. She had wonderful stories of her travel with her sister, Marilyn, as well as with her close friend, Pauline. She loved visits with her daughter and her daughter’s family in New York and Virginia, actively participated when her grandchildren interviewed her for their school assignments and loved hearing about all of the adventures. She never missed a birthday or holiday. Zeena also never let anyone feel like a stranger; she remembered incredible details about people and was genuinely invested in their wellbeing, leaving them feeling like they were family. Zeena will be tremendously missed by her family, friends and people in her Chelsea community.

A memorial will be on Sunday, December 28th at 2pm at the Boulevard Riverside Chapel at 1700 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Zeena’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.