The attached is a "thank you letter" that I received from Ethel Weiss, after we published an article about her in Our Town Brookline Magazine. Ethel was a regular contributor to the Letters to the Editor section of the magazine and we sincerely appreciated her support.
Rest in Peace Ethel, 
Raymond Hoffer
Publisher of Our Town Brookline Magazine

May Her Memory Be A Blessing.... I remember stopping in and chatting with her many times over the years. I counted her as a connection to my family that had lived on Beale Street and were connected to Kehillat Israel Synagogue across the road.. She remembered them all. I am sure that the kids from the Hebrew school where I taught will always remember her as well.

About twenty-five years ago I met Ethel at Irving's.  I created a sign that she hung behind her counter: "I've been loving my customers for 55 years." I'm very happy that she liked it, and that every year she taped a piece of paper over the number of years to increase it. Ethel was a sweet, grandmotherly lady, and I wish I'd talked with her even more. My wife Sandy and i send our condolences to Ethel's family.



I have not been to Boston since Ethel passed, but I am wondering what's happened to Irvings since. I am hoping that it continues in some kind of fashion in the future. 

please contact me at Levinsondj@comcast.net

I never got to post a note of sadness upon the passing of Ethel. I did sign a post it on the window as I walked by from work after her passing in December. She was a very special shopkeeper-My daughter went to Devotion from first through eighth grade and the store was a daily stop for her and her friends. Fond memories, as I also was her hairdresser when i worked above the store at Studio 373. She always had a sense of humor. That's why she had such longevity I think. Thanks for the memories.

My deepest sympathy to the family. May you be comforted and assured of God's unfailing love and support for you during this difficult time.

Here's another sweet photo of Ethel in June of 2014.

Seeing Ethel was a definite stop any time I was in Boston. I discovered her in her 90's and last visited with her between her 99th and 100th year.
When I first met Ethel, I was delighted that she had the same first name as my mother's and was only two years my mother's junior. Somehow we immediately clicked. She wound up letting me buy the very last copy she had of the child's book where she and Irving's was mentioned. My granddaughter was thrilled and always told me to go see Ethel for her when I planned to go to Boston. My only regret is that my Tali never got to meet Ethel. She truly was an inspiration to young and old.
    My trips to Boston will never be the same. If I lived in the area, how I would love to carry on the shop for her. I hope that someone in her family will do so.
    I offer my sincere condolences to Ethel's family. Yes, she lived long and well, but she still leaves a void and will be greatly missed. Separately (below or above) you can find a photo of me with Ethel on our last visit in August of 2013.

I Have  fond memories of Irving's as a Devotion  grad  1952. Always got the latest  baseball cards with the bubble gum inside.


So unique. I remember, Irving's Toy's from back in the '70s. Their treasures, provided hours of fun for my daughter Catherine and her friends.

I had the good fortune to have spent my formative years in Brookline.  I attended the 50th Reunion of the Brookline High School Class of 1965 (go Packard House!) at the end of September this year and made a beeline to Coolidge Corner to see Ethel.  She was as cheerful and wonderful in every way as ever and I will always cherish that last visit with a true Brookline legend.  Rest in Peace, Ethel.  Baruch Dayan Emet.

I first knew Ethel when I started the 5th grade at Devotion School in'52 and also developed a crush on Anita.  I stopped by Irvings to say hello to Ethel on my numerous trips from NJ to visit my Mother Jean who lived on Columbia St. till she passed away there at age 102 in 2012.  Ethel sold me enough baseball cards in the 50's to make me a rich man had my Mother (like everyone else's Mother) not tossed them when I went off to college. I have a poster of Irving's Toy and Card Store hanging in my house signed to me with happy thoughts by Ethel. Along with my 2004 team-signed original Red Sox World Series Championship bat, it is one of my most cherished possessions. 

HARVEY SHULTZ, CHERRY HILL, NJ

Ethel provided a place at Irving's where as a small child I could have a world free of parents and use my pennies to do the things they wouldn't approve of: eat lots of sugar and read comic books about super heroes. The fact that Ethel was still there when I returned as an old man was a reminder that my childhood was still alive. The little red store, somehow surviving in the middle of a more modern, larger word, was like a magic doorway into that childhood and the beginning of the escape into adulthood that it provided. And at the center, providing timeless wisdom to who knows how many children, sat Ethel, not apparently aging. I'll miss knowing that she's there. I'll miss her.

Ethel was a true inspiration to so many. I felt honored to include her as an important character in the 22 strong Beacon Street Girls book series.  She embodied the values of honesty, loyalty, empathy, community and kindness -- all the values that seem to be missing in society today. Her fictional character mirrored the amazing person she was to her family, friends and customers. 

I am proud to have known her for even for a tiny fraction of her life. May she and her family be blessed and her memory live on for generations.

Addie Swartz
Creator, Beacon Street Girls

I was so lucky that Ethel and Irving's has always been part of my life.  I was born in 1946 and grew up a block away. Ethel always gave 100% of her presence to customers, window-shoppers and visitors of all ages.  She taught us down-to-earth lessons of caring for others and for ourselves, of honesty and consideration, generosity and thriftand the art of creative recycling. Ethel was a treasured neighbor and a real mensch (one thing I love about the word is that it isn't gender specific, tho some  forget that).  We were always happy to see her because she was happy to see us; she wanted to know what was new with us and with our familes--our multi-generation extended families!  She knew them all.  She wanted to know what WE thought about whatever was on her mind. She always listened respectfully, but wasn't too shy to tell you what she thought; she even posted her advice in the shop window.

Ethel Weiss was good medicineand especially when we were kids, a whole lot of sugar helped the medicine go down.  Penny candy! papers of multicolored pastel candy spots, caramels, fireballs, French toffee and flat chocolate non-pareilles sprinkled with tiny white sugar sprinkles chocolate cigarettes and the pure fun of big red waxy lips.  Spring won't be spring without colored chalk, bubble-mix and yo-yos from Irving's. 

Like my mother, I shopped for cards at Irving's;  I loved hunting for oldies-but-goodies from the fifties; authentic mid-century modern for 25 cents! I cherish the experience of buying a sympathy card from a 101-year-old store-keeper. 

Ethel Weiss was herself non-pareille--one of a kind.  I offer heart-felt condolences to her family and to everyone who loved her.  I wish Ethel many times the years of immortality she bestowed on Irving.  Viva Irving's! Viva Ethel! (photos soon)

Every day of her amazing yet humble life, Ethel lived and breathed the meaning of "tikkun olam," the Jewish concept of making the world a better place through acts of kindness. The week after Thanksgiving, she called to say how much she appreciated our friendship. Ethel wouldn't want us to mourn her passing, but rather, to celebrate our happy memories of her and "the store," which will forever brighten our hearts.

Janice and Anita, my condolences, thoughts and prayers goes out to you and your family. It a small world how we got to meet and knew each other thru out the years..  you will be sorely missed.. 
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
From,

I am from Toronto and always dropped in to see Ethel when visiting my best friend in Brookline....It was always one of the highlights of my trip! She was full of energy and always had a small on her face. I was amazed by her optimism and her genuine kindness. Ethel was one of those people you meet in life that makes the journey so much more interesting! Thanks for your many words of wisdom. My sincere sympathies to her family...(Ethel showed me pictures of all of you!)  Bev & Jordan

I grew up going to Hebrew School at KI in the 60s and stopping in Irving's for penny candy was a daily event. Ethel and Abe would let us "regulars" step behind the counter and take what we wanted and trust us to give the right change. Many, many years later, sometime in the 90s, I stopped by Irving's when I was in Brookline and Ethel remembered me and my family. She was such a delight and such an inspiring woman. May you all be comforted by good "sweet" memories

To Ms. Ethel Weiss Family and Friends. My deepest condolences on your loss. My Mother frequent Irving's Toy & Card shop 67 years ago. I thank my Aunt Mary Tynan from Brookline,Ma. for telling me of the upcoming CBS special, regarding Ms Ethel & her shop....I saw the special, and immediately loved this Lady. A wonderful person. I shared my conversation with Ms. Ethel to Crispin Weinberg, and to my surprise, he bought T-shirt, and had picture of Irving's Toy & Card Shop  printed on front. I ask him if he could have Ms. Ethel to autograph it. Ms Ethel did on 9-26-2015. Ms. Ethel sent T=shirt and   2 page letter,and other Irving's Toy & Card Shop  memorabilia. I'll cherish forever. I'm so honored to have known her......Ms. Janice and Anita, we love you, and we will lift you-Family and Friends through this time.....Brenda Jean Bray Many,La.

Loved going to your store to see you and your husband.
My mom would let us go to Irvings but then we had to visit the dentist next door...
Many fond memories 
You will be truly missed.

I lived on Winchester street for a couple years and attended Devotion. Of course I was introduced to Irving's for candy buttons, 1 cent candy, and other great stuff; I was in 5th and 6th grade and probably 10-11 years old. Also went to KI school. Having moved from South Brookline and being lonely and depressed at new home, as temporary as it was, were it not for Irving, I don't know if I could have made it; I have always thought of him and will continue to; God Bless;

Peter Golburgh

I'd bet that Ethel was the most beloved woman in Brookline. Coming over from Driscoll after school a few times each week is one of the happiest memories of my '50s childhood. Ethel was like a second mom, only this mom would let you have CANDY! She and Irving were cherished fixtures in our lives, and the world today is all that much poorer with her passing. Rest in peace, dear Ethel.

Ethel and Irving's will always be a part of my childhood and a happy one at that.  RIP
Candy Slavin Frankel

A true Brookline icon for many generations.

It  was such an honor and of great pleasure to have been part of your care team over these last 4-5 years. You were a strong-minded and determined person. I'm very thankful for have meeting you as you have shared so much wisdom with me over the years and I will never forget you! I'll keep the recipe for "long live life" in hopes that I too can live as long and be as strong as you have been all these years! May your beautiful soul rest peacefully in Paradise Ethel! Love Nicole

Every day after school, (Devotion), we'd go see Ethel and Abe to buy baseball cards and candy.  It was a great tradition and they were both so warm and inviting to the neighborhood kids. 
Once at BHS, the "Coolidge Corner" kids continued to frequent their store and after college and law school, we always made a trek over to see them.  RIP you will be missed by all.

My condolences to your entire family. I pray with all the beautiful memories it will help them to get through losing you. I was just telling my coworkers just this past week about how beautiful of a person you were to all of us as kids and as now adults with our very own children. I still remember to this day sneaking over to your store during recess time and you letting us all have it, for you it wasn't at all about receiving our money it was always about our education just as it always was for our parents. You were serious and meant business we were all in trouble that day. You love all of us as children and adults just as we were your own and you will truly be forever missed by my siblings, my daughter and myself. May your family be aware of how many of us you have touched in all of these years.As well as  how many of us will always remember you. May it help them with the loss of losing you. May you rip now! Rip!

Remember sropping in the store on my way home almost every day. What a treat.. The best was to be able to say hello to Ethel and Irving  janice, I visited your mom only a few years ago and she wrote everything down in her notebook. She was wonderful. Susan Levitt Falkson

More than a century of smiles, you were the soul of Brookline.

After weekly allowance used to stop in for candy after school at Devotion.  Thorndike Street family.  Late 60s early 70s.  45-50 years ago!  Thank you for the fond childhood memories.  You'll be missed.

An icon for Coolidge Corner and for The Edward Devotion School. Supported and counseled our students through thick and thin.  Everyone loved her shoppe and her generosity.  She will be greatly missed. Tam Johnson, former Devotion School teacher.

Ethel you were one of the good memories growing up in Brookline. Stopped by after school at Devotion and before going to KI school. Your smile made my day. RIP you will be missed.

Irvings store and Ethel leave me with only fond memories. I remember working there back in the mid 50's on Wednesdays before going to girls school at KI., and hanging out with my friends  on a stoop  right by the store.I recently was in Brookline in April and went to Irvings and talked  with  Ethel.  Had a wonderful visit, so nostalgic and so surprised that she still remembered me and my family after being gone so long. She will be  remembered by so many people with so many fond memories. An amazing woman  Who brought so much joy to so many people. Rest in peace Ethel and may your family find only joy and pride in all the lives you touched in your 102 years

Dear family of Ethel Kravetz Weiss - sweet memories are a blessing  and surely they have been for me of Irving and Ethel
for the past 7 decades. Though I no longer live in my first hometown. my adult kids and I would stop in to visit every time we were at KI...to pay homage to the Lady of Harvard St.May her memory continue to be a blessing. With special greetings to my
Devotion School classmate, Janice...Sincerely, Avram Kraft

Everyday that she was at the store my kids went in she had a smile on her face and enjoyed the kids coming in to see her she was a great lady she will be truly missed by all the kids

My childhood memories of Ethel and her warmth to each child who entered Irving's span's more than sixty years!  From what I hear Ethel loved many children throughout her life!!  Ethel is an iconic blessing. Rest in peace dear friend..

RIP, Ethel. I enjoyed living around the corner from you and your shop for the past 6 years. You will be missed!

Ethel and Irving were always a part of our neighborhood. She had a big smile for me just last year as I dropped in to say hello and she vividly remembered my family from Stedman Street.  What a legacy to leave. Anita and Janice sorry for your loss.
Celia Webber Kagan
Lake Worth, Florida

I grew up on Comm. Ave and always visited your store, Irving's. Last year, over 50 years later, I stopped by and there you were sitting by the front door with a big smile. We had a great visit full of lots of memories including your special poem on the wall and pics and letter from the President. You made Brookline special for me in my childhood. RIP

Worked next door to her shop for years.  RIP Ethel, you were one very special woman.
Danya Hachey

Ethel and Irving's Variety Store.  They fit together like a hand in a glove.  I'm sitting here remembering all the times I stopped in to buy my penny candy, soda, and school supplies. Ethel was always there to help.  I haven't been in the store since my last visit to Brookline which was about 10 years ago.  What amazed me at that time was the fact Ethel recognized and remembered me.  She was a true icon, and Coolidge Corner won't be the same without her.  Janice and Anita, you have my deepest sympathies.  Rest in peace, dear Ethel.  You will be missed.

Ethel-- and Irvings -- made our neighborhood a warm and special place.  She welcomed everybody, including pets! We will all miss her generous spirit and kind heart.

My favorite Ethel story is hearing her tell a youngster that he was trying to buy too much candy. She cared for more about the kids than a good sale.

Am so sad to hear of her passing.  I was just walking through Coolidge Corner this past Thursday and always would look inside Irving's to see if Ethel was there.  I went there as a 9 year old kid back in the early 1980s to pick up baseball cards and wacky packs.  Will truly miss her as Coolidge Corner just won't be the same without her.  She blessed so many of us for over 100 years and may God make it easy for her family.

Ethel was one generous, kind wonderful lady, who was my last mainstay where I grew up.  Always enjoyed stopping for a chat with Ethel, I would bring my husband, kids, whoever I was with to that little shop that is a part of my childhood..  I think I got to know her as a friend long after moving from Beals Street.  We will greatly miss her.  May she rest in peace and know that so many people who loved her.

Rest in Peace Ethel. Thank you for teaching me how to count my change. :)

I grew up in Coolidge Corner and went to Devotion.  The only place to go, every day, was Irvings.  Ethel was always on her chair as years went by, with a smile on her face.  A wonderful, sweet and caring soul, we all loved Ethel.  May she rest in peace.

It won't feel like Coolidge Corner anymore without being able to drop into Irvings and chat with Ethel.

The best after school store ! So many memories! Rest in peace Ethel! Irvings will always be a part of my childhood forever! I knew Irving and Abe both great men! Stopped by on Tuesday saw sign on door , didn't get out of car so sorry couldn't visit one last time!

As a young girl, I attended Edward Devotion School. I never walked by Irving's without stopping in on my way home from school. I'd take the .25 I got every Tuesday and buy a bag of popcorn, .10, a big Ring Ding, .10 and the rest, .5 went to penny candy. As my allowance increased, add wax lips, wax fingernails and wax bottles, mint juleps, candy cigarettes, pixie sticks, candy dots and more. Abe, Ethel's husband would guard the penny candy section behind the counter. Ethel was always there helping us kids get what we wanted. Irvings will always hold a special place in my heart. Rest in peace, Ethel, and thanks :)

I am one of thousands of children whose childhood wouldn't have been the same without her and Abe. A true legand and class act! God bless!

She was a gift. Her words imprinted so many kind thoughts in my heart. Thank you Ethel, you will be missed.

So many memories of living in Brookline and visiting Irving's toy store. Ethel was an inspiration and will be missed by thousands of children and their parents. My sincere condolences and grateful for her kindnesses to all.
Robert (Bobby) Riskin

Our deepest condolences for your loss 
Ethel was one very special woman and she will always hold a special place in our hearts 
Rest in Peace Ethel 
Kolikoff/ Shaffer Family

Ethel Weiss was an amazing lady. Her smile and gentle attitude will remain with me. From my K.I. and Brookline roots Ethel has left me with some wonderful memories. Rest in Peace dear Ethel.Truly one of a kind.

A true inspiration! What a wonderful life. You will always bring a smile to my face! Thank you RIP Ethel

Irving's was the first independent shopping experience for generations of young Brookline kids! Thinking of Abe and Ethel with much fondness. Lisa, Tracie and Bruce Milton (1970's)

OBITUARY

Ethel A. Weiss

Passed away on DECEMBER 10, 2015

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