Irene Loevsky

There are people who spend a lot of time contemplating their next move. There are people who talk a lot and do little and then there are people like my mother. Irene Loevsky was a mover, a shaker, a doer who actually accomplished whatever she wanted and never apologized for it. This 71-year-old firecracker took life by storm and truly lived. Irene Loevsky was extremely intelligent and perceptive, kind, generous, clever and hilarious. She loved to laugh and her energy was strong, nurturing and magnetic.

Irene, her husband Alexander and daughter Lisa arrived in Cleveland from Yevpatoria, Crimea in 1990 during the wave of Ohio’s Jewish Immigration. They had $36 and no one in the family spoke English. Alexander went to work as a jeweler immediately, taking the public bus to a store 30 minutes away and Irene helped work odd jobs at night. But instead of continuously working a minimum wage job like most new immigrants were advised, she went straight to community college and signed up for English classes. Irene was also a fluent German speaker and had a great propensity for languages. Her studying paid off, because she became a top student and learned English relatively quickly for a 36-year-old starting over in life. Once she mastered English, Irene and Sasha opened their own jewelry store in 1995, which still operates today. Besides running a successful business, Irene Loevsky wore many hats - Gucci, Burberry , Wife, Mother and Babushka. Irene loved to shop and collect beautiful clothes and shoes. She was a frequenter of Beachwood Place, keeping up with latest trends and getting her steps in. It is only B’shert that her favorite store, Saks Fifth Avenue, is closing its doors at the same time as she is leaving this earth.

Irene and Alex loved to travel and eat well. They just celebrated 50 years of marriage. They frequently visited Italy and loved their therapeutic volcanic waters. They visited their daughter in Japan every year and took the family to celebrate Irene’s 70th birthday in Switzerland.

Irene was an incredible cook who fed everyone who entered her house. All her daughter’s American friends loved her borscht and salat oliver, especially Lisa’s husband, William, who always looked forward to her parents visiting.

The people Irene loved most in this world were her daughter Lisa, and granddaughter Liberty. Irene always knew of Lisa’s whereabouts and hunted her down for the last 40 years, calling all her friends and asking, “Do you know where is Leeza?” They spoke daily and although the two had very different personalities, they had great respect and admiration for each other. Irene recently told her daughter she was proud of her conviction to do what is difficult, but what is right. Irene helped Lisa with so many things, from general advice and perspective, to buying wardrobes and home goods for her apartment, to bringing delicious home cooked meals, Irene was always there. She dropped by all the time with food and gifts and loved to eat with her family. Above all, Irene and Alex really love spending time with their granddaughter Liberty, who very much resembles her Babushka in spirit and appearance.

Irene left this world unexpectedly and untimely. But she lived a full life with joy, laughter, beauty, generosity with a zest for life. She kept the cleanest house of anyone in the Cleveland area and her legacy and strength will live on through her family and friends. May her memory be a Blessing.

A viewing will take place on Saturday, May 9th from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights.

Graveside funeral services will take place on Sunday, May 10th, at 10:00am at Whitehaven Memorial Park, 615 SOM Center Road, in Mayfield Village.

The family will have a celebration of life meal at Europa restaurant in Pepper Pike after interment.