Obituaries
ANNETTE ROSENBERG
With profound sadness we announce the peaceful but tragic death of Annette Rosenberg on December 9th, 2020 at the Simkin Center at the age of 98 as a result of the incidious Covid–19 virus.
Annette was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest of four children. Annette lost her father when she was 11 years of age. She and her siblings learned their work ethic from their mother who operated a Delicatessen. At an early age she met and married Fred Simkin and they had a child Mickey. Fred enlisted in the U.S. army and was killed in action during World War II.
Annette travelled with her then four year old son to Winnipeg to visit extended family, at which time she met her future husband Max Rosenberg. They married in 1946. She became part of the Rosenberg family of six brothers and sisters that were as close knit a family as one could imagine. Max and Annette subsequently enlarged their own family with the addition of Sherry and Diane.
A loving and devoted wife and mother, she cherished her children and treasured every moment with them. Annette and Max raised their three children who married and gave them six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was a warm and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. She was fortunate to live to an age that enabled her to attend many of the weddings, births, bar and bat mitzvahs and other special family occasions.
At the age of 42, while still ensuring that her home remained a traditional one for her husband and children, she bravely embarked on a career with Investors Syndicate where she held a demanding position in the payroll department and was highly respected during her 25 years with the company. She was a modern woman – well ahead of her time.
Annette was also very social and active in various organizations over the years including Parent Teacher Associations, and the Lehava Chapter of Pioneer Women. As a result she and Max enjoyed a wide circle of life long friends.
For many years after their retirement, they wintered in Florida. It was a very happy time in their life as they continued their friendships with many of their friends from Winnipeg who also wintered in the same community.
Unfortunately her long life also meant she suffered the loss of her loving and devoted husband, Max, in February of 1997. She also suffered the loss of all of her siblings and most of her brothers and sisters in law.
Annette remained independent in her apartment until a fall in September 2016 resulted in a broken hip and several months of recovery in hospital. She then moved to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Center at the beginning of 2017. Her last years were increasingly difficult with the loss of her mobility, however, her mind remained 110% active. She loved the activities, particularly the music concerts and exercise programs and was the proud table bowling champion eight times.
Annette is survived and mourned by:
Son Mickey (Roslyn) Rosenberg, granddaughter, Cheryl (Sean) Smith, great grandchildren Alexa and Ryan; Grandson Brian (Sari) Rosenberg, great grandson Jordan; Granddaughter Melanie (David) Riker, great grandchildren Aiden and Elle.
Daughter Sherry (Richard) Verdec, granddaughter Lauren (Brandon) Schulz, great granddaughter Meika
Daughter Diane (David) LeBlanc, grandson Jason (Lynette) Newman, great grandchildren Malia and Liam; Grandson Cory Newman (Jessica Legacy)
Brother-in-law Mickey (Pearl) Rosenberg and many nieces and nephews from both the Rosenberg and Protus families.
There are so many to be thanked for the care and love that Annette received over the years. Her family wants to pay special tribute and thanks to her amazing and loving companions at the Simkin Center, Mariane, Maria and Fabi and the staff of the Simkin Center Weinberg 1 and, in particular, Alissa and Cathy of the Recreation Department.
Finally, we are forever grateful to the staff of the Simkin Center Covid Unit who, by graciously acting as our surrogate, made bearable the unbearable pain of our not being able to be beside our Mother in order to hold and stroke her hand and comfort her as she passed. Thank you Sara R, Roma, Agatha and Sara D.
Annette was interred beside her husband Max in the Rosh Pina Memorial Park Cemetary on Friday, December 11th, 2020.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.