Obituaries
MORTON AARON SLUSKY
Our much-loved dad and zaida died suddenly on March 23, 2018, three months shy of his 94th birthday.
Mort was predeceased by his beloved wife Lee, his brother Irv and his partner Fay Glass. He leaves to mourn his children Maxa and Cliff Chisick and Jeffrey and Cindy Slusky; grandchildren Casey Chisick and Sophie Milman, Josh and Laura Chisick, Daniel and Baillie Chisick, Lee Slusky and Zachary Slusky; and great-grandchildren Lev, Jacob, Lyla, Talia, Maya and Asher Chisick.
Mort was born on June 27, 1924, the elder son of Rae and Max Slusky. He grew up in the North End, graduated from St. John’s Tech, and worked as a dining car waiter on passenger trains before enlisting in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He trained as a radio operator and was stationed at several locations in the Caribbean before the war’s end.
After his discharge, Mort attended the University of Manitoba Law School and was called to the bar in 1951. His brother Irv followed in 1953 and they practised law as Slusky & Slusky until Mort retired in 1999. As a lawyer, Mort was admired for his honesty, integrity, compassion, and dedication to his clients, some of whom continued to seek out his wise counsel long after his retirement.
Mort and Lee Rombom were married on December 25, 1949. They settled into the Grove Apartments on Main Street and began building their life together. Maxa was born in 1952, and Jeff in 1961, about the time they moved to their new home on Sweetwood Bay in then-mostly undeveloped Garden City. Worried about Maxa’s diminutive 10-year-old, 50-pound frame, Mort set about plumping her up with nightly Dairy Queen milkshakes after dinner. (Mission accomplished, Daddy; thanks.) Mort and Lee shared a traditional, loving marriage, rooted in their mutual devotion to their children and, in time, to their three eldest grandsons, Casey, Josh, and Daniel. Tragically, Lee passed away in 1989, at only 62, before grandsons Lee and Zach arrived to complete their family.
Late in his life, Mort was fortunate to meet Fay Glass, with whom he shared nearly a decade of happiness until her untimely death in 2007.
Mort was a devoted, loving zaida whose face lit up whenever his grandchildren were near. He delighted in regular family dinners and visits and that enjoyment grew even stronger when Casey, Josh, and Daniel married and provided him with three beautiful, talented granddaughters who loved and respected him. And just when he thought things couldn’t get any better, great-grandchildren started to appear about six years ago, recharging his batteries and putting an indelible smile on his face. The lives of his six great-grandchildren have been enriched permanently by time spent with their Zaida Mort.
Cursed with a lighting-fast swing and shaky putting stroke, Mort was nevertheless an enthusiastic golfer well into his ninth decade, and was rewarded with four holes-in one for his efforts. He served on Glendale Country Club’s board for several years. He passed his passion for golf (along with the shaky putting stroke) on to Jeff, for whom it remains an obsession.
Mort’s early life was steeped in Judaism and he remained invested in Jewish customs and traditions throughout his life. He was a longtime member of Rosh Pina Synagogue and served on its board of directors for many years.
Although reluctant at first, Mort grew to enjoy life at Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence, where he rekindled old friendships and formed many new ones. He was an active and eager participant in social programs and trivia competitions, where his razor-sharp recall kept him well-stocked in Kit-Kat bars.
Until the very last day of his life, Mort carried himself with great dignity, good humour, and a proud independence that will always be an inspiration to his family. As a family friend, struck by his gentlemanliness, memorably put it, he was “a man who wore his tuxedo on the inside.”
Mort’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Shaftesbury Park for treating him with the kindness and respect he deserved. We are also grateful to Dr. Terry Szajkowski for his extraordinary kindness, excellent care and reassuring availability.
A funeral service was held March 25 at Congregation Etz Chayim, officiated by Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves. Pallbearers were Mort’s five grandsons and his nephew Alan Slusky.
He will be loved, missed
and remembered forever.
Donations may be made to Jewish Child and Family Services, Agape Table or any charity of choice.
Obituaries
CHERYL SAPER
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cheryl Zina Saper, a beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished member of the Winnipeg community. Cheryl passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on June 2, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Cheryl was born on February 18, 1954, in Winnipeg to her loving parents, Jack and Betty Saper.
Cheryl is survived by her three devoted sons, Daniel (Nena), Steven (Maryam), and Abram (Maddie), and her precious grandchildren, Jacob, Maya, Lyla, and Adam, who were the light of her life. Her unwavering love and support for her family will be deeply missed.
A woman of great intellect and warmth, Cheryl had a passion for reading and cherished her time spent chatting with friends. Her ability to learn your life story in a phone call was one of her greatest talents. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to build a successful business from the ground up, providing a comfortable life for herself and her sons. She was not only a successful businesswoman but also a constant presence in her children’s lives, particularly in their sporting activities. Cheryl loved to travel, and when on vacation could often be found poolside with a book in hand or making connections with the locals.
Cheryl had a deep love for dogs, and there was always one in the house, bringing joy and companionship to her and her family. She would often include the dog in the list of names when calling for her children, Daniel, Steven, Abram, Dawson!
Cheryl was an active member of the Jewish community in Winnipeg, contributing her time and energy to various community activities and events. Her dedication and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Cheryl was laid to rest at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
ARIEL GLINTER
Ariel Glinter, beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend, died in Winnipeg on June 11, 2024. He was 36 years old. Ariel was born in Winnipeg, MB, where he attended the Talmud Torah I. L. Peretz Folk School, the Gray Academy of Jewish Education, and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and from the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba with a Juris Doctor degree. In law school he received numerous awards for academic excellence, including Dean’s Honour List in 2010 – 2011 and 2011 – 2012. After practicing law for three years at Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP, Ariel joined Maqabim Distributors as director of business development and regulatory compliance. In his role at Maqabim he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues throughout the industry for his knowledge, passion, acumen, and good humour. Ariel was a generous, kind, passionate, and insightful person who had a profound impact on those who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Nancy and Harry; his siblings, Ruthie (Daniel), Ezra, Hannah (Koby), and Leah; and by many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be mourned and missed by his family and by the many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched.
Obituaries
SHEILA ESTELLE LINDER May 27, 1934 – June 14, 2024
The family of Sheila Linder announces her passing after a long life well lived. Sheila was the beloved wife of Elvin (Al), cherished mother to Faith (Hart) Kaplan, Nadine Linder and Marshall Linder, adored Baba to Adam (Michaela) Kaplan, Yael Kaplan, Hadera Short, and Jeremy (CC) Short. She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Rita Shapera Jacob and Gerald (Pauline) Silverman, 38 nieces and nephews, six cousins and many dear friends.
Sheila grew up in Winnipeg’s north end as the middle child of Dolly Rossen and Isadore Silverman, surrounded by three generations of the extended Silverman, Levitan and Rossen families, whose stories of mischief and daring, poverty and prosperity, sorrow and joy were shared with her children to reinforce the importance of family.
Al met Sheila at a dance when she was 17, confided to a friend that she was the girl he would marry, and began courting her. They were married on December 26, 1953. Sheila enjoyed her career as a Kelly Girl office temp and Al joined his father-in-law at Western Scrap Metals.
Sheila and Al created a wonderful life during their 72 years together. As a young married woman, she played Mahjong, bowled in a 10-pin league, and volunteered with women’s service groups including Hadassah WIZO and Pioneer Women. When she and Al were ready to start a family, they adopted three children into a home filled with love and Jewish values.
She learned to speak Yiddish growing up and took Hebrew lessons as an adult to help her children with their homework. Her volunteerism expanded to included school PTAs and the Manitoba Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. When a newly formed couples’ group was created in the ’70s, Sheila became involved in its programming and was co-chair for a period of time. Sheila and Al recently attended a Yachad program, still going strong after 50 years, where they were proudly among the oldest members.
Sheila and Al travelled to Israel, Europe, Mexico, Jamaica and enjoyed family trips to Detroit Lakes, Miami Beach, Disney Land, and Disney World. In their later years they wintered in Palm Springs and Florida.
Sheila loved people and their life stories. She was an avid reader, and encouraged her children’s reading by filling the family home with books, comics, and magazine subscriptions, including the complete World Book encyclopedia. Her standard response to any question: “Look it up”. She was always well informed and ready to discuss current affairs.
She enjoyed shopping, and every life-cycle event was celebrated with a card, a gift, and often, a new outfit. The Linder home was filled with beautiful furniture, paintings, fabrics, and collectibles. A consummate hostess, her parties were always tailored to the occasion with special foods and serving pieces reserved for that particular event. Her daily essentials included flowers and plants, classic films, autobiographies and novels, the newspaper and TV news, crossword puzzles, bread, sweets, and her iPad.
Sheila Linder was a generous soul whose love for family and friends was boundless. She and Al lived independently in their condo with devoted assistance provided by her dear friend Maria. The family is indebted to the medical professionals who provided care over the years.
Sheila attended summer camp when she was 15 and it changed her life. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sunshine Fund for Campers or a charity of your choice.