She married Marvin Kossin, whom she met a few years earlier in Palm Springs. Their first child, Andrew, arrived four years later. Next, I was born. Then, Marv and Elaine sold their home in Reseda and moved to Porter Ranch, in Northridge. They owned Sands Drive In. When we were kids, Andy and I worked with our parents at Sands, which made it a real family restaurant."
Elaine was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 1987. But that didn't stop my mom, She continued to live as always, shopping, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. She never let the cancer bring her down. In 1995, my first daughter (Elaine's granddaughter) Shayna Hanna Levinson was born. My mom held my hand as I gave birth. Elaine loved children, and Shayna's birth was a substantial milestone in her life. Loving Children as she did, Elaine suffered perhaps the cruelest irony when a few short months after Shayna's birth, her cancer worsened. She spent her last days in the hospital surrounded by loving family members. I held her hand as she passed from this life.
When Elaine's second granddaughter was born, we named her Eden after my mother. Eden has a beautiful gap between her front teeth and when she smiles, we see Elaine's tradmark smile. My father passed away this February. Although he missed my mother terribly these past few years, they are together now, dancing.
By Devra Levinson (Daughter)
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