Neryl Simpson

Eleanor (Domowitz) Goldman: 1923 - 1997

Eleanor Goldman was known to all as Elle. She was born on 24th March 1923 and very sadly passed away on 15th July 1997.

She was born in Rochester, New York and was the only child of Sol Domowitz who was my grandfather, Isadore's, younger brother and Sarah Domowitz.

I met Elle in May 1959 (ooh that dates me!!) when Uncle Sol met me at the Greyhound Bus Station in Rochester on that Spring night in May when I had traveled from Toronto, Canada. I was just 21 years of age. I had arrived in Toronto two days earlier via Vancouver having left Sydney on 28th April 1959 by ship that took 18 days to get to Vancouver.

Uncle Sol was waving papers in his hand with tears streaming down his cheeks saying write to your mother(!!) and murmuring over and over again my brother's granddaughter.

Also at Elle and Irv's house that night was Ilene Klass Kline. Of course, Barry and Susan were just kids.

I instantly had family! I had truly 'arrived' in every sense of the word.

However, this is my tribute to Elle.

Over the years that I lived in Toronto and traveled many weekends to Rochester and shared the Jewish Holidays, Elle and I were not only family but friends. We did a lot of talking, laughed a lot and I observed and learnt so much from her. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend. Everyone loved her. She grabbed life in every way as if she knew that she would be so cruelly taken far too soon.

I don't have to be back in Rochester to remember all the hilarious times we had. One December night I was running from the local bus to the house on Beekman Place across everyone's snow covered lawn to finally see Elle's face at her kitchen window beckoning me to run faster. The entire Goldman family was coming for Chanukah dinner any minute and the waste disposal in the kitchen sink was backing up threatening to cover the floor. Shouting instructions to me, I made potato latkes for the first time in my life as the family walked through the door. There hasn't been a time when I've made Latkes all the years since, that I haven't smiled to remember that night. I have to tell you that at that time it was hand-grating-only of the potatoes!

There are many stories.

Elle's devotion to her husband was a joy to see. When I visited, she taught me to watch out for Irv to come home and as he walked up the street the water would go on for his cup of tea to be on the table as he walked in the door.

Elle gave me that which doesn't come in a box - isn't packaged - hasn't a price tag - can't be counted. It's called simply, love and friendship.

I was living back here in Australia when Elle was ill and diagnosed with lymphoma and I took my children to Rochester. Now they too have a very special connection.

There is an even stronger connection. When I was giving birth to my daughter, Michelle, I was watching the clock nearing midnight and willing it to tick over from 23rd March to 24th March which was Elle's birthday! Michelle was born at 3.40 a.m. on 24th March which was very special indeed.

Elle's illness was with her for many years. Always threatening to catch up but I didn't ever think it would succeed. One always has this huge optimism when it comes to closeness. Through it all, she carried on her life with determination, optimism and above all, great dignity. Once again she was the teacher.

She would have loved being at the Reunions. I always feel that she is there - smiling.

I miss her dearly.