Obituaries
SYLVIA BASS NOVEMBER 19, 1924 – MARCH 14, 2025
On March 14,2025, after a very long life and a brief illness Sylvia Bass (nee Breitman) passed away peacefully. She is survived by son Ken, daughter Robyn Lerner (Neal) and grandchildren Jordyn (Tina), Shea (Anna) and Blake (Jacqueline). She is predeceased by her husband Harold and her four siblings (Alvin, Joseph, Belle and Shirley).
Sylvia was born on November 19, 1924, and had her North End Winnipeg childhood shaped by the rigours of the Great Depression. When the warehouse that employed her father went out of business in 1931 her mother, a seamstress, regularly worked late into the night to keep the family from destitution.
In 1942 Sylvia graduated from Isaac Newton High School with an A average and entered the world of work as a receptionist and secretary. In the pre- Dictaphone era this was a challenging vocation, requiring mastery of the arcane language of Gregg and Pitman shorthand. Her employers included Dr. Art Lerner and a forerunner agency of Jewish Child and Family Services.
In 1948 Sylvia met her life partner Harold Bass, an auto mechanic and auto body shop proprietor. After they married, at the fashionable Marlborough Hotel, she devoted herself to providing a home for her husband and children -Ken, born in 1950 and Robyn, in 1960. Her responsibilities increased in the Fall of 1966 when Harold decided on a radical career change, from the auto trades to government employment as a welfare worker.This meant attending an eleven month college course, available only in Brandon.
Sylvia was always sociable, enjoying the company of her Garden City neighbours, her many friends and her large extended family. For many years she was active in Pioneer Women (Na’amat), and a memorable 1971 trip to Israel strengthened her connection with the homeland. She and Harold also travelled to Chicago and Florida, as well as several trips to Las Vegas, where she indulged the Breitman family taste for gambling.
In their later years Sylvia and Harold focused their attention on their grandchildren, letting everyone know of their many and various accomplishments. Unfortunately, in 2009 Harold suffered serious health problems and was no longer able to live at home. He died the next year. Because her natural sociability made living alone out of the question Sylvia moved to the Portsmouth Retirement Residence, where she was a vital part of the community for the next sixteen years.
The funeral took place at the Chesed Shel Emes on Sunday, March 16 with interment at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery, Rabbi Anibal Mass presiding. Pallbearers were Jordyn Lerner, Shea Lerner, Blake Lerner, Harrison Katz, Ramy Penner and Benji Winestock. Neal Lerner, David Davis and Ken Bass were honorary pallbearers. Our thanks to the caring staff at the Portsmouth, JTRC Care Services and the Grace Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Terry Babick, who cared for Sylvia for many years and helped her to reach 100.
Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to do so to an Israeli – linked charity of their choice.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| 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
ALVIN M. ZIVOT August 3, 1941 – May 28, 2026
Alvin Murray Zivot, aged 94, died at home on May 28, 2026. He was a blessing in life for all of us who loved and admired him, and his memory will always be a blessing. Born in Winnipeg in 1931, he was too young to join the fight against fascism in Europe. He was a Jewish man willing to be counted and counted on.
Alvin dedicated his life to his loving family, close lifelong friends, and the community. He was an unceasingly devoted son to Jack and Lil, loving brother to Gerry and Bernice, loyal and loving husband to Ruby and then Libby, supportive, proud, and affectionate father to Paula and Gary, Eric and Jill, and Joel and Jennifer, and doting Zaida to Sam, Olivia, Solomon, Tovah, Eli, and Lilly. He is survived by his sister-in-law Zoe Piper and her husband Julian Piper.
Alvin enjoyed a long career as a skilled lawyer with an attention to detail and a sterling reputation. He wore his Queens Council recognition with honor. Alvin was more naturally a mediator and consensus builder than an adversary. He was the first chief justice of the Manitoba Landlord-Tenant tribunal. After many years of distinction, he pivoted to running elections for the Manitoba Metis Foundation.
In retirement, he shifted to philanthropy, big and small. He was a serious man who loved to laugh and delighted in those around him. He was the most loyal friend and showed up to provide support in the most difficult situations. He loved his wife Libby, who preceded him in death in 2009. For all who saw the way he looked at her and adored her, it would make anyone know that true love and marriage were real.
Space does not permit the mention of so many people whom he valued and who valued him. He will be buried next to his wife, Libby, and for all of us, we were blessed for the time we had with him. We will miss him for all the days of our lives.
Obituaries
PHYLLIS LEE DANA October 5, 1936 – May 17, 2026
Phyllis Lee Dana came into the world on October 5, 1936, and left it peacefully at home in her sleep on May 17, 2026. Predeceased by her parents Maurice “Lippy” Benson Lipson and Ida “Billie” Lipson née Cohen, she is survived by her husband of over 71 years, Nathan Dana, their children Karen (Harry Havey) and Marshall (Andrea Miller), grandchildren Jessee (Nathaniel) and Josh Havey, her younger brother Edward Lipson (Carol), nephews Michael (Ceren) and Daniel (Doree), beloved cousins, many lifelong friends, and the hundreds who fondly remember her as their kindergarten teacher, “Mrs. Dana”.
An exceptionally talented singer and performer from a young age, she gave up a scholarship to study opera at New York City’s Curtis Institute of Music to marry and start a family with her true love and best friend, Nate – a decision she never regretted for a moment. As expressive and animated off the stage as she was on it, Phyllis was a pillar in Winnipeg’s Jewish community, known for her nearly 30 years of teaching in the Jewish day school system, as a vocal soloist and synagogue choir member, and as an active member of several community organizations.
Phyllis offered a receptive warmth and curiosity to all she met, possessed a keen intellect and a sharp wit, was a gifted writer, poet, and storyteller, prolific baker, voracious reader, lover of butterflies, and made a mean brisket.
Despite being 89 years old, her passing was still unexpected by the remarkable family, community, and legacy she leaves behind, and she will forever be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Because you loved to write in rhyme / Your words so thoughtful and divine / Here’s some for you, straight from the heart / Now from us you’ve had to depart / We cannot thank you near enough / For what you were to all of us / For teaching us to love and sing / And all those children all those things / For how to best articulate / And speak the things most think (not say) / Your voice forever will live on / In stories, teachings, and in song / Your work is done, the time has come / For you to rest, our precious one / Your memory a blessing be, Love you forever,
Phyllis Lee!

