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
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.