Obituaries
SHEILA LILLIAN MALKIN
Sheila passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of December 31, 2021. She is survived by her daughter Laurel Malkin, son-in-law David Folk, and her grandchildren Alli and Josh.
She was predeceased by her parents Israel and Mary Fratkin, her three siblings, Dave Fratkin, Bessie Litwack and Ben Fratkin, her husband Charlie Malkin, and her son Murray Malkin. She was the last remaining member of her generation on both sides of the family, and with her passing, it is the end of an era.
Sheila was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba on October 23, 1929. Despite growing up during the depression and WWII, she had a very happy childhood surrounded by a loving, extended family. She moved to Winnipeg at the age of 15 and attended St. John’s Tech. Upon graduation, she worked at the Boston Clothing Store and The Bay.
On December 25, 1951, Sheila and Charlie were married in Winnipeg. They honeymooned in New York City, which began their joint love of travel. In 1972, by the luck of a conversation with a travel agent, Sheila began a new career as a travel agent. She traveled the world, from the Galapagos to Fiji, Myanmar to Russia, with dozens of countries in between. She loved seeing new places and meeting travelers and locals alike wherever she ventured. At the age of 88, she, in her typical optimism, renewed her passport for ten years so that she would be ready for wherever life would take her.
Sheila was a lifelong bridge player and achieved the rank of Silver Life Master. Giving back to the community was very important to her, and she did volunteer work for a variety of organizations. Through the National Council of Jewish Women, Sheila recorded books on tape for the CNIB as well as performing audiology testing on children in Winnipeg schools. She sat on the local board of NCJW as well as their National Board. She was active on the Sisterhood of the Adas Yeshurun Herzlia Synagogue of which she and Charlie were founding members.
She was a gourmet cook who loved entertaining, sharing meals and sweet treats with her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and many friends. Sheila loved the arts, instilling a lifelong love for ballet in her daughter and granddaughter. She adored her two grandchildren, and their visits and phone calls were the highlights of her life.
A graveside funeral was held on January 2, 2022, with Rabbi Yossi Benarroch officiating.
The family would like to thank Dr. Candace Bradshaw for her care and compassion, especially in the last few months of Sheila’s life. Thank you to her many caregivers from the WRHA, especially Beth and Marilyn. A final heartfelt thank you to Edeliza Monton and the rest of her caregivers who with love and dignity allowed Sheila to stay in her own home until the end of her life. We are forever thankful for her excellent care.
Pallbearers were David Folk, Josh Folk, Eric Jacobsohn, Hart Kaplan, Avi Saper and Warren Zimmerman. Due to current Covid restrictions, shiva was private.
If desired, donations would be appreciated to the Adas Yeshurun Herzlia, Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the National Council of Jewish Women.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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