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
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.