Lilyan Rubenstein's Obituary
Lilyan Rubenstein, of Hallandale, Florida (maiden name Cherniak) was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on November 11, 1927. She passed away peacefully on September 1, 2024. She is survived by her brother, Earl, three sons, 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren affectionately called her Lala.
Lilyan truly adored her loving mother, Kate, her dedicated father, Harry, and her sister and brother Cara and Earl, whom she was very close with throughout her life. Cara unfortunately passed at a way too early age. Kate’s five sisters and two brothers, and Harry’s two sisters and one brother, made for aunts, uncles, and cousins galore. Lilyan's two grandfathers lived with her immediate family in the Cherniak home on Victoria Avenue in Windsor.
Lilyan's home life was busy with many boisterous, happy, and loving family gatherings, with mom Kate as the perfect hostess. The Victoria Avenue house was the key center of the extended family. Lilyan developed lifelong friendships with many of her cousins, a true source of pleasure for her.
In the small Jewish community of Windsor, Lilyan had several close, life long, friends, enjoying an active social life, with regular games of Mahjong and Canasta, and as the hostess of many social evenings and dinners.
During her life, Lilyan was a homemaker, a freelance writer, and a part time model. She appeared several times on local television.
Always glamorous and beautifully dressed, she was considered by all to be extremely attractive and charming. She loved to read, travel, and spend time with family. An accomplished cook, her standing rib roast, honey garlic chicken wings, and pineapple upside down cake, to name a few, were legendary.
Lilyan was particularly devoted to her three sons, Jonathan, Robert, and Lawrence, affectionately known as Jonny, Bobby, and Larry. She always treated her boys as equal grown-up participants in life and family. Raising them to be strong minded, clear thinking, emotionally balanced, and empathetic, each one became a very accomplished family man. Lilyan’s giant heart also brought several other children into her family, most notably, Murray Smith, who she loved as her own and who was always like a devoted son.
Her mom Kate, her kids, and grandkids were her most important people. She always had time for them and truly enjoyed her relationships with them. Travelling through Europe in 1972 with her sons, Jonny, and Bobby, they had many adventures, partook of many great culinary feasts, and had a lot of fun and laughter. Lilyan also joined her children and grandchildren on many trips to Disney World, the Miami Zoo, and other fun places.
Lilyan's husband, Al, was a physician in Windsor. He was the doctor for many stars who performed at the Elmwood Casino, Windsor’s world class cabaret from the 1950's, to the 1970's. The couple became good friends with many stars who performed there, hosting numerous home dinners and parties with their famous friends. Sophie Tucker, Sammy Davis jr., and Jimmy Durante to name a few.
As a fan of horse racing and a skilled handicapper, Lilyan made even more friends who also became good family friends.
After moving to Florida in the 1980's, she continued her deep connection with family and was particularly active in the lives of her granddaughters, Colleen, Nicole, and Andrea. Her grandson, Michael, shared her home for several years, and she treated him like a son, too.
She unwaveringly loved all her family deeply and they all loved her back.
Lilyan’s passing is very sad, and she will be greatly missed. The memories of love and friendship she gave to us all will survive her, and she will not be forgotten.
Cryptside Service will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 N. 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel, (305) 932-2700.
What’s your fondest memory of Lilyan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lilyan?
Share a story where Lilyan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lilyan you’ll never forget.
How did Lilyan make you smile?
