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
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.