Obituaries
ANN VICKAR
The family of Ann Vickar, aged 90 years, sadly announce her passing on February 4, 2019.
She leaves behind her children, Sharon and Marty Diamond, David and Heather Vickar; sister Leah Gitlin; grandchildren, Launi Diamond and Bryan Rear, Jocelyn Diamond and Mike Morton; Misha and Toby; great-grandson Madden; sisters-in-law, Eve Vickar and Gnessie Vickar, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Freda Freedman, husband Morris Vickar, sister Rose Phillips and twin sister Eva Epstein.
Ann was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan and lived her early years in Nipawin before moving to Melfort with husband Morris. In 1965, the family relocated to Winnipeg. Her loving husband of 36 years passed away far too soon in 1984 following a long battle with cancer. Ann was by his side, as his partner and advocate throughout the entire process.
Known widely for her wonderful baking and cooking, Ann was always one to host a wonderful feast for family and friends. Her shortbread cookies and almond florentine, as well as cheesecakes, were legendary. Needless to say, homemade gefilte fish, komish bread, corned beef and pickled tongue were family favourites. Ann was a wonderful mother, whether feeding her family with wonderful wholesome home cooking or wise and timely advice, all blended with her fine sense of humour. She was a whiz with numbers and bookkeeping and even in her later years, a computer tutor for her friends.
She was an avid curler at the Maple Leaf Curling Club as well as a golfer at Glendale. Her golfing continued almost to the age of 80 years…the only one in our family to score a “hole in one”! She was active in Hadassah for many years and always a willing volunteer to help out a good cause.
Ann spent her final years, following a stroke, in the Simkin Centre. The family would like to thank the staff of the Simkin for all of their loving care during that time. In addition, a huge thank you to the loving and compassionate companions who not only cared for Ann, but also became such good friends to her and the entire family. Josey, Alicia, Clemens, Emma, Hazel, Juliette, Lovely, Priscilla, you are wonderful.
Ann will be fondly remembered forever by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her many friends and relatives. In her memory, providing an act of kindness to others or contributions in her memory to the Simkin Centre Foundation in Winnipeg, would be greatly appreciated.
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
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).