Obituaries
KATHERINE (KATHY) GREENBLAT
With deep sorrow and regret, the family of Katherine Mary Greenblat mourns her passing on September, 2, 2021 – one month shy of her 80th birthday.
Katherine passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence. She leaves behind her devoted husband and soulmate of 56 loving years, Cecil Greenblat; her three children, Cynthia, Harry, and Lenard Greenblat; and granddaughter Madeleine – Harry’s daughter.
Katherine loved her family dearly and devoted her life to being a nurturing and supportive wife and mother. She was also a great mentor. She taught her children to have good ethics and morals and treat all people with kindness and honesty.
Katherine was born on October 12th, 1941 in Atikokan, Ontario. She came from a large family of eight siblings. Katherine’s surviving five siblings are: Helen Watson, who also lives in Winnipeg and with whom Katherine shared a very special bond together; Shirley and husband Chris Lachance; brother Gary and wife Diane Demchuck; Doreen Banks; and Elsie Demchuck. Katherine also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Anne Gardner, and family. As well, Katherine is survived by her childhood best friend, Jeannette and her husband, Ivan Geogison. Katherine loved them like family.
Katherine was predeceased by her parents, Anne and George Demchuck, her sister Vera and husband Bob Sutch, and her youngest brother, Bobby, who died at age 16. As a young girl, Katherine took Bobby under her wing and loved him dearly. Bobby’s passing was a huge lifelong loss for Katherine and anytime she spoke of him she would cry.
Katherine was also predeceased by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Eva and Tony Obornick. Their surviving children are: Laura and husband Jerry, Jeffrey, and Howard Obornick, and Susan and Brian Sherwood. Katherine was also predeceased by her in-laws, Harry and Luba Greenblat, and by her brother-in-law, Al Greenblat.
Katherine completed Grade 13 at Atikokan High School. Katherine had many interests as a young girl that continued into her adulthood. Her hobbies included baking, sewing, and reading. Katherine also loved children and was a devout believer in G-d. As a young girl, she taught Bible classes to children in her community.
Katherine met her husband, Cecil Greenblat, when she moved to Winnipeg when she was 21 and married at age 23.
In Winnipeg, Katherine worked in various places. She worked as a secretary at Beaver Lumber and at a dental office, also at Gambles. Later on she worked as a nursery teacher at the YMHA, where she was loved by all the children and very respected by the parents.
The one word that describes Katherine is a “Tzadika”, a very righteous women with a heart of gold.
Anyone who knew Kathy was touched by her kindness, warmth and generosity. She was a very wise and understanding woman who went above and beyond to help people and animals. She gave generously to many charitable organizations, such as: the CJA, the homeless, the Siloam Mission, the Harvester, the Cancer Society , the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Arthritis Society, and the CNIB.
As a great animal lover, Katherine had many cats and dogs throughout her married life, whom she loved and adored. She also donated to animal rescue groups, such as the Wild Animal Foundation, the Winnipeg Humane Society, and PETA. Kathy was a very special person, not only giving monetary donations, but going out of her way and using her special talents cooking and baking gourmet foods for seniors, widows, the less fortunate, also monthly party sandwiches and pastries for the staff at the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Katherine was converted according to Orthodox Jewish law when she was married. She was already a devout believer in G-d and fell in love with Judaism. She was also a very spiritual woman. Katherine kept a kosher household, separating the milk and meat dishes, lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday, going to synagouge for the High Holidays with her family, and sending her children to Jewish religious schools: the Talmud Torah and Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. Katherine also celebrated all the Jewish holidays and traditions and made all the different foods for each holiday. She loved G-d with all her heart. Katherine was also asked by her Jewish friends at weddings to say the blessing before eating the meal. Katherine and her husband Cecil were also members of Yachad for years, a Jewish club which they loved.
Unfortunately and very sadly, in her later years Katherine developed dementia, which was heartbreaking for her and her family. Katherine was always a strong and positive person and stayed strong right up until the very end.
The Winnipeg Home Care staff who worked with Katherine were always so friendly and provided the absolute best care for her. The family is greatly appreciative to everyone who supported her.
There are not enough words to express how much Katherine is dearly missed by her family. Katherine’s passing has left a huge void and emptiness in our hearts and lives. We pray one day we all will meet again in heaven, Gan Eden.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
DAVEY (DAVE) CHOCHINOV
With his family by his side, Dave passed away, peacefully at home, on February 13, 2026, at the age of 92. Dave was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, father Alex and mother Rose; brothers Jack, Ben, Moishe and Harvey; sisters-in-law Mary Chochinov, Loretta Chochinov, Sherry Chochinov, Marion Golfman, and Belva Shaff, and brother-in-law Ralph Shaff.
He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his children, Paul (Cathy Carey), Linda (Allan Sand), Sheldon, and Andrea; his adored grandchildren, Alex, Jeffrey, Matthew, Celene (Scott Campbell), Abbey, Claire, Eli (Pam Pilon) and Josh; great-grandchildren, Kate, Jacob, Holden and Hayes; brother-in-law Archie Cham, sister-in-law Shelley Chochinov; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Dave was born on January 15, 1934, the youngest of five sons. He attended Machray School, St. John’s High School and the University of Manitoba, where he graduated from the faculty of Pharmacy. On October 11, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor, and remained married for the next 48 years until Eleanor’s passing on October 17, 2003.
After graduating from the University of Manitoba, Dave opened a pharmacy located in the River Heights area. After several years operating his pharmacy he arrived at the conclusion that he was not happy practising as a pharmacist and a career change was required. In the mid 1960’s, with a spouse, three young children at home and one on the way, he continued working as a pharmacist, then spent a couple of years selling life insurance before deciding to pursue a path in accounting. In 1973, he completed his course of studies in accounting and obtained his designation as a Certified General Accountant. In late 1975, he opened his own accounting practice, located at 1850 Main St. His professional accounting career also included terms as President of the CGA association of Manitoba and Canada. He continued active participation in the accounting firm until 2003.
During his retirement Dave spent his days scanning photos in the family albums and sending them to his children so that they would have a rich legacy of memories to keep and pass on to their own families. When he could not drive for a time, his grandson Alex would be available to take him wherever he needed to go. They spent much time discussing the human condition, vocabulary, music, cuisine preferences, and the good old days. A tough man from a tough generation, family was everything to him. Dave had an extremely close relationship with his four older brothers, and we believe he would say that his fondest memories were the times spent at family gatherings. Whenever there was a big get-together or a Chochinov reunion, he would always remark, “It was great … the family was together.”
He was also a great sounding board for anyone who needed advice and gave quality and insightful input. He was fiercely passionate about family. In his later years he started to compile an all-encompassing family tree and in doing so he discovered long lost relatives still in the old country and ended up opening a line of communication with them. He loved technology as well and started using computers as soon as the first ones were available. He had a unique sense of humor and sent group e-mails of cartoons and jokes to friends and family daily that added joy to the lives of those privileged to be on the email list. It was also his way of staying in touch and letting people know he was thinking of them.
Funeral services were held on February 16 at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. Pallbearers were Paul Chochinov, Shel Chochinov, Alex Chochinov, Jeff Chochinov, Yale Chochinov, Jordan Chochinov, Tyler Chochinov and Matthew Strachan.
Obituaries
PHYLLIS HOCHMAN
With great sadness we announce that beloved wife, mom, and Baba, Phyllis (Zelickson) Hochman passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Winnipeg.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Paula (Warren Zimmerman) and her one and only granddaughter, Abby, her greatest joy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Phyllis was born in Winnipeg in 1940 to Walter and Esther Zelickson. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her sister, Sylvia Oberman, and her beloved husband of 53 years, Benny Hochman.
Phyllis grew up on Burrows Avenue with close friends and family. She worked at Leon A. Brown Ltd., an insurance company. Family was at the center of her world. Phyllis devoted her life to caring for those she loved, always making sure everyone was taken care of. Whether it was offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or words of encouragement, she was always there when needed.
Phyllis was known for her beautiful smile, warm heart, and joyful laughter. Her presence brought comfort, happiness, and strength to those around her.
As a mother, she was simply the best, loving and endlessly supportive. As a Baba, she filled Abby’s life with affection, guidance, and countless special memories that will be treasured forever. As a mother in law, Warren was like a son to her and they had a beautiful relationship.
Phylls was 19 when she met the love of her life, Benny Hochman. They were married in 1970 and together they created a beautiful family. They showed their daughter, Paula, true love, commitment, and partnership. Their greatest joy was being together and creating memories with family and friends.
Phyllis will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park, presided by Rabbi Kliel Rose. Pallbearers were Warren Zimmerman, Dr. Wayne Manishen, Michael Hochman, Larry Hochman, Sherman Greenfeld, and Michael Charach. If desired, contributions can be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, The Simkin Centre, or a charity of your choice.

