Elsa Gottlieb Wolen

WOLEN ELSA "ELSIE" WOLEN (nee Gottlieb), age 94, died July 23, 2013.  Born in Tiffin, OH to David and Helen Gottlieb.  Elsa's selfless lifelong community service included feeding the homeless, sewing at The Temple and never giving up on her daughter Nancy's artistic abilities.  Beloved wife of Leonard Wolen (deceased); devoted mother of Nancy Wolen of Columbus, OH, Betsy (Evan) Nyer of Tampa, FL and Jim (Judy) Wolen; loving grandmother of Anne (Jeff) Shields, Jennifer (Justin) Tetrault and Lee Wolen; loving great grandmother of Nick and Rebecca Tetrault; dear sister of Dave Gottlieb and Maxine Basch (both deceased).  Services will be held at BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 1985 S. TAYLOR RD., CLEVELAND HTS., Thursday, July 25 at 10 AM.  Interment Mayfield Cemetery.  Family will receive friends at Menorah Park, 27100 Cedar Rd., Beachwood THURSDAY FROM 4 TO 8 PM ONLY.  Contributions are suggested to the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland (www.jewishcleveland.org) or to ORT (www.ortcleveland.org).   Elsa Helen Wolen, 94, was born in Tiffin, Ohio, the youngest of three children (Dave and Maxine) to Dave K. and Helen S. Gottlieb on March 15th, 1919.   Elsa died comfortably at Menorah Park on Tuesday, July 23rd with her family surrounding her. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, the 25th of July at 10:00 a.m. at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 South Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118.  Burial services will follow at Mayfield Cemetery, 2749 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights. Elsa graduated from Milwaukee Downer University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics.  She used her education to enhance the lives of others, as she baked a variety of pies, cookies, cakes and other desserts.  Her signature pie was pumpkin and Elsa’s peach pie came in second in the Cuyahoga County Fair Needless to say, Elsa was very comfortable around food.  Her grandson, Lee, interested in helping Elsa cook, joined her in the kitchen on numerous occasions.  While visiting Gramma Elsa Lee enjoyed reading gourmet magazines, cookbooks, and watching live cooking shows. Lee has reaped the benefits of his early interest in cooking.  He is now an internationally trained culinary artist and is employed as the head chef at a prestigious Chicago hotel. Elsa’s life was one of selfless service. She volunteered with developmentally disabled adults in recreation where she assisted participants in ice skating, bowling, dance, arts and crafts, singing, and teaching the members to act appropriately in public. Elsa spent many hours at The Temple doing restorative sewing. She also created various patterns for her family, from winter coats to customized Halloween costumes. What comes to mind is her “upside down clown” for her son, Jim, and peasant dresses for her daughter Betsy’s bridesmaids. Elsa made a difference at Mount Sinai Hospital’s pediatric unit where she held, rocked and sang to new-born babies. Her dedication to the homeless shined at Saint Malachi Church, where Elsa visited with each and every person. She also created delicious meals for them. Elsa will always live in the hearts of her friends and relatives. Elsa had a special gift of becoming friends with her children’s friends.  She was always welcome in their company. Elsa was a fan of fine arts.  Her biggest support of artistic endeavors was enjoyed by her oldest daughter, Nancy.   Elsa provided her with emotional and financial support, attending all of her art openings in Cleveland and Columbus.  Elsa always believed in her daughter’s artistic talent.  Her knowledge of fine arts was apparent in her collection of Japanese prints, modern works of art and her lifelong membership to the Cleveland Museum of Art Elsa Helen Wolen will always be remembered for her acceptance of all people, regardless of race, creed or religion. She loved working with those who experience disabilities, and was ahead of her time re: lifestyle choices.  Acceptance was Elsa’s strong suite. Else was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Wolen.  She is survived by her daughters, Nancy Wolen and Betsy (Evan) Nyer, and son Jim (Judy) Wolen.  Her grandchildren include Anne (Jeff) Shields, Jennifer (Justin) Tetreault and Lee Wolen.  Her great grandchildren include Nicholas and Rebecca Tetreault. Elsa, may you rest in peace and know that you gave so much of yourself to our world.