Obituaries
ANNETTE ROSENBERG
With profound sadness we announce the peaceful but tragic death of Annette Rosenberg on December 9th, 2020 at the Simkin Center at the age of 98 as a result of the incidious Covid–19 virus.
Annette was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest of four children. Annette lost her father when she was 11 years of age. She and her siblings learned their work ethic from their mother who operated a Delicatessen. At an early age she met and married Fred Simkin and they had a child Mickey. Fred enlisted in the U.S. army and was killed in action during World War II.
Annette travelled with her then four year old son to Winnipeg to visit extended family, at which time she met her future husband Max Rosenberg. They married in 1946. She became part of the Rosenberg family of six brothers and sisters that were as close knit a family as one could imagine. Max and Annette subsequently enlarged their own family with the addition of Sherry and Diane.
A loving and devoted wife and mother, she cherished her children and treasured every moment with them. Annette and Max raised their three children who married and gave them six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was a warm and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. She was fortunate to live to an age that enabled her to attend many of the weddings, births, bar and bat mitzvahs and other special family occasions.
At the age of 42, while still ensuring that her home remained a traditional one for her husband and children, she bravely embarked on a career with Investors Syndicate where she held a demanding position in the payroll department and was highly respected during her 25 years with the company. She was a modern woman – well ahead of her time.
Annette was also very social and active in various organizations over the years including Parent Teacher Associations, and the Lehava Chapter of Pioneer Women. As a result she and Max enjoyed a wide circle of life long friends.
For many years after their retirement, they wintered in Florida. It was a very happy time in their life as they continued their friendships with many of their friends from Winnipeg who also wintered in the same community.
Unfortunately her long life also meant she suffered the loss of her loving and devoted husband, Max, in February of 1997. She also suffered the loss of all of her siblings and most of her brothers and sisters in law.
Annette remained independent in her apartment until a fall in September 2016 resulted in a broken hip and several months of recovery in hospital. She then moved to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Center at the beginning of 2017. Her last years were increasingly difficult with the loss of her mobility, however, her mind remained 110% active. She loved the activities, particularly the music concerts and exercise programs and was the proud table bowling champion eight times.
Annette is survived and mourned by:
Son Mickey (Roslyn) Rosenberg, granddaughter, Cheryl (Sean) Smith, great grandchildren Alexa and Ryan; Grandson Brian (Sari) Rosenberg, great grandson Jordan; Granddaughter Melanie (David) Riker, great grandchildren Aiden and Elle.
Daughter Sherry (Richard) Verdec, granddaughter Lauren (Brandon) Schulz, great granddaughter Meika
Daughter Diane (David) LeBlanc, grandson Jason (Lynette) Newman, great grandchildren Malia and Liam; Grandson Cory Newman (Jessica Legacy)
Brother-in-law Mickey (Pearl) Rosenberg and many nieces and nephews from both the Rosenberg and Protus families.
There are so many to be thanked for the care and love that Annette received over the years. Her family wants to pay special tribute and thanks to her amazing and loving companions at the Simkin Center, Mariane, Maria and Fabi and the staff of the Simkin Center Weinberg 1 and, in particular, Alissa and Cathy of the Recreation Department.
Finally, we are forever grateful to the staff of the Simkin Center Covid Unit who, by graciously acting as our surrogate, made bearable the unbearable pain of our not being able to be beside our Mother in order to hold and stroke her hand and comfort her as she passed. Thank you Sara R, Roma, Agatha and Sara D.
Annette was interred beside her husband Max in the Rosh Pina Memorial Park Cemetary on Friday, December 11th, 2020.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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