Obituaries
ALICE HALPRIN
Alice Halprin died on September 24, 2025 at the age of 96. Born in Winnipeg, she was the fourth of five children of Victor and Fanny Schultz. Blissfulness was shattered when her mother died following a long illness, circumstances which necessitated her temporary placement in the Jewish Orphanage, a period marked by her great unhappiness.
Every one of the five siblings paid a price. Brother Albert gave up plans for university to support them in the family fur business and sisters, Myrna and Ruth, instead of enjoying their teens raised their younger sisters, now barely seven and five. Once on his feet, their father moved the family from behind the fur factory on Selkirk Avenue to Inkster Blvd., later spoiling Alice with cashmere sweaters and a fancy wedding at the Royal Alexander Hotel. She attended Luxton and St. John’s High schools.
North and South end Winnipeg united when Alice met the love of her life, Edward Halprin; they married in 1949. Though she was welcomed like a daughter by in-laws, Joseph and Rae Halprin, she didn’t fully enjoy the benefits of family as she moved from place to place while Ed, a general contractor, built Shop Easy stores across the Prairies. There were moves to Edmonton, Calgary, Fort William and Miami. In between they returned to Winnipeg. With later moves to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Vancouver, packing up and relocating became the theme of her life. In the course of having to divest herself of possessions, she proved to have a real facility for sales, at one time convincing a potential buyer with an interest in one of their cars to also buy her enormous eight foot Philodendron Tree. Making new friends wasn’t easy but she nevertheless maintained strong friendships. In particular, sisters-in-law, Sylvia Scott, Laurane Schultz, Elyse and Lynda Halprin, and cousin Sandra Halprin, all dear friends now gone, figured largely. She proved to be a loyal friend who would rather swallow tacks than break a promise or divulge a secret.
For the third time in her life, starting in the late 1980s, she retuned to Vancouver, a city she came to love beyond all others and which she shared with many visitors. Distanced from her own children, she cultivated special bonds with nieces, Dr. Rhonda Shuckett and Danyael Halprin. She volunteered at a day care and worked in a bath boutique and a children’s wear shop where she was a trusted employee and eventual friend.
Dogs figured prominently in her life. For as long as living arrangements allowed, there was a dog to love. And then there were her grandchildren whom she visited as often as possible alternating between dance recitals and hockey games, always rejoicing in their academic proclivities. She might have singlehandedly kept the laminating business alive preserving and bragging about their school reports. Even in failing health, her obvious delight in her grandchildren, including special granddaughters-in-law, Hayley and Rachel and her great-grandchildren, never faded.
In 2007, she and Ed, now suffering with dementia, returned to Winnipeg after an absence of over thirty-seven years. Rising to a hard situation, she did much to make the best of his last years as she began to exhibit her special kind of inner strength and strong will, which she seemed to manufacture and draw upon to persevere.
Great-grandchildren began arriving shortly after Ed’s death and she exerted her independence and generosity. She was able to indulge her love of classical music attending symphony concerts and the opera. A veritable news junkie she kept current on domestic and world events. She travelled and she wintered with sister Sally in Palm Springs. She travelled multiple times to New York including for both grandson’s weddings and after the births of her great-grandchildren. Her offspring were the greatest shows in town but it’s where she also enjoyed Broadway, Lincoln Centre and Katz’s Delicatessen. Despite the distance the affection and adoration of her New York great-grandchildren was remarkable, a testament to the obvious love she had for them.
With the exception of clothes, (she always dressed well), she wasn’t particularly acquisitive. What she was, was careful with her things, always preserving and maintaining them. She was an immaculate house keeper and even in her last weeks often asked if the floors were shining. Though she owned many beautiful things, over the years she gave them away, jewelry, silver and china, to her daughters, Leigh and Kerrie and granddaughters, Rachel and Alexandra. She kept what mattered to her, pictures, letters, cards, those laminated school reports and newspaper clippings featuring the exploits of her grandchildren and others.
She will be remembered for her beauty, her quiet elegance and demeanour, as a gentle lady, kind and regal.
Predeceased by her parents and cherished siblings, Albert Schultz, Myrna Mitchell and Ruth Shenback, she is survived by her dear sister, Sally Shuckett, daughters, Leigh and Kerrie and their husbands, Stevan Raber and Richard Leipsic. She also leaves granddaughters, Rachel Cooper (Amy Rapp) and Alexandra Cooper (Matan Gamliel) and grandsons, Adrian (Rachel Friedman) and Barry Joseph (Hayley) Leipsic of New York as well as the joy of her life, six great-grandchildren ,Yaffe and Noa Gamliel, and in New York Max, Cora, Rae, Alyce (her namesake) Leipsic, and honourary great-grandson, Eben Karnani as well as numerous and loving Halprin/Klein and Schultz nieces and nephews.
Thanks go to Dr. Claire Jaeger as well as her caregivers whose devotion allowed her to remain at home until the end: Sonia, Gerlie, Everlyn, Rosanna, Tess, Nancy and Anna-lyn. These wonderful individuals returned the respect and generosity she showed many times over.
Funeral services were held September 28 at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery eloquently led by Rabbi Carney Rose. Her pallbearers included nephews, Rocky Pollack, Myron Schultz, and David Halprin (Toronto) along with grandsons, Adrian and Barry and her devoted son-in-law, Richard Leipsic. Honorary pallbearers were Bryan Klein and Victor Schultz.
Donations in her memory are kindly directed to Jewish Child and Family Services and The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
JENNIE GOLDSTINE
September 25, 1929 – March 6, 2026
Surrounded by loved ones Mom passed away on March 6th at the age of 96.
Mom is survived by her three sons, Marc (Robyn), Ian (Elaine) and Lawrence. She was also blessed with five grandchildren, Jacque (Tyler), Steven (Jani), Daniel (Lainie), Jason (Gen) and Kyle as well as five great-grandchildren, Asher, Beckham, Jakob, Quinn and Abby. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis (Alvin).
She was predeceased by her husband Allan; her brothers, Boris and David; and her parents, Aaron and Manya Margolis.
Mom’s journey began in Kremenets, Poland on September 25, 1929. Mom came to Canada with her parents and brother Boris in the summer of 1930 and her story was in many ways the classic immigrant story. Raised in the North End, first on Euclid and Barber and then the big move in 1938 to Atlantic and Aikins, her parents ran a grocery store and times were not easy. However, the way out was education and in 1946, Mom graduated from St. John’s high school. Her high school was a point of pride for her throughout her life and when the 75th anniversary festivities took place in 1985, she had the time of her life. Mom’s education continued after high school and she attended United College (University of Winnipeg today) where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was one of the few women of her generation to graduate from university and she took great pride in that fact. That push came from her own mother who had attended Gymnasia (secondary school) in Poland, a rarity for women.
Mom and Dad met in 1949 and were married on May 17, 1950. They were supposed to get married at the new Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on the corner of Wellington Crescent and Academy Road, but the first flood of the century intervened and they took refuge in Regina where my Dad had an aunt. They were married in aunt Eleanor’s living room. The family grew in the 50s and 60s with Marc arriving in 1952, Ian in 1955 and Lawrence in 1962.
In 1963 Dad graduated with his CA and as a celebration the family went out to Gimli and stayed at the Shoreliner Motel. While visiting Gimli, Mom and Dad made one of the great decisions of their lives when they purchased 25 2nd Avenue. The family shared so many fantastic experiences and has so many memories throughout the 50 years in Gimli.
Mom’s education continued in 1967 when she returned to school to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught for a year at Shaughnessy Park and spent a year on supply for Winnipeg School Division. Mom took a break from teaching in 1970 but returned in 1976 in a new role that would define her teaching. Mom became a substitute teacher for Winnipeg School Division and would continue in this role until she retired in 1992. Although she had no specialized training in early years education, Mom substituted primarily in JK K and Grade 1. She spent the majority of her time substituting in North End schools such as David Livingston, Victoria Albert and Norquay to name only a few. You could take the girl out of the North End but you could never take the North End out of the girl.
After Mom and dad retired in 1992, they moved out to Gimli to live full-time. Mom had one condition for moving out to Gimli, there had to be cable TV. Dad made sure there was cable TV. Mom and dad had a magical 20 years in Gimli. They met some terrific people who would become very close friends and they loved life in the Interlake. In late January each year they would drive down to Palm Springs and spend wonderful winters in the Coachella Valley.
It was the best of both worlds.
In 2013 they made the necessary decision to move back to Winnipeg in order to be closer to family. Mom and Dad were married for 63 years when dad passed away in 2014. Fortunately for mom, she was always a people person and she stayed busy by meeting new people and staying active. She was a voracious reader and there was always a newspaper or book in her hands. She also loved TV and enjoyed watching her favourite shows such as Murdoch Mysteries, Hudson and Rex and Blue Bloods.
Mom’s last journey began in June 2023 when she moved into the Simkin Centre. She adjusted well to her new surroundings and was well liked by staff and residents. She looked forward to Friday afternoon bingo on Weinberg 2 and especially winning at bingo which she often did. The family is grateful for the wonderful care Mom received from all the staff on Weinberg 2. There is one person who deserves special recognition and that is Mom’s companion and loving friend Mary Ann. The family is forever grateful for the care, respect and love she showed towards mom. It added a special quality of life to Mom’s final years. We were blessed to have Mom in our lives for an incredible 96 years. When Mom was 93, I asked her what it felt like to be 93. Her reply, 19!!
Mom’s funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on March 9th officiated by Rabbi Carnie Rose. Beautiful words of tribute were given by Mom’s grandson Steven Goldstine. Pallbearers were Jacque Edwards, Daniel Goldstine, Steven Goldstine, Jason Goldstine, Kyle Goldstine and Honourary Pallbearer Alvin Slayen.
Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
Mom we will miss your smile, warmth and sense of humour. “You are my sunshine my only sunshine.”
Obituaries
WALTER (VEV) GANETSKY
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our father Walter (Vev) Ganetsky on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the age of 85.
He will be lovingly remembered by his son David, his son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Tracie, grandchildren, Braden (Maya), Jori (Justin), Alix and pup Enzo. Vev is also survived by Penny Ganetsky, sister-in-law Sharon Ganetsky, nephew Leonard (Lynn), niece Michele (Myles), great-nephews, numerous cousins, life long friends and special friend Fay Reich.
Graveside service was held at B’nay Abraham Cemetery on April 6. Pallbearers were David Ganetsky, Morgan Ganetsky, Braden Ganetsky, Myles Levin, Howard Jesierski, Laurie Etkin and Mitchell Rosenberg. We would like to thank Rabbi Matthew Leibl for his kindness. A heartfelt thank you to Ashley Miller of WFPS and the other first responders for their care and compassion.
If desired, donations can be made to Jewish Child and Family Service, Heart & Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation