Obituaries
BARBARA LEVY 1955-2020
On November 1st, Barbara Levy passed away peacefully, but far too soon, with her family by her side.
There will never be another Barbara Levy. Anyone who had the good fortune to have spent time in her company could tell you the unmistakeable presence she had. Her every decision was dictated by her strong sense of self, governed by her passion, and guided by the boundless love she had for her family. Barbara was the very embodiment of unconditional love, her generosity of words and actions matched only by her sharp wit and sense of humour.
As a teenager, Barbara was an avid reader. Inspired by the great literary works, she became an English teacher and educated and inspired young minds during her long career. She was devoted to her students and imparted on them her fondness for Canadian literature by taking them on field trips to Margaret Laurence’s home in Neepawa.
Barbara met her husband Moses (Moe) at the age of 19. She was his confidant, best friend, and love for almost 46 years. She was the bedrock for her Moses throughout his career; a steadfast supporter of all his pursuits, she was exceptionally proud of all he had done to reshape his adopted city.
With Moses, Barbara had three children who were the light of her life: Adam, Sam, and Sarah. From an early age to adulthood Barbara instilled in her children the joy of imagination, the value of integrity, the virtue of duty, and the power of resilience. Nothing brought her greater joy than nurturing them into the caring, giving, and accomplished people they have become.
As the Levy family continued to expand, Barbara spread her wings to welcome beloved pets, Allie and MacDuff, the partners of her children, Tanya, Sandra, and Robin, and in recent years, her beautiful grandchildren, Benjamin and Maya. She could simply not help herself but to be a dedicated mother to them all, for her heart and soul has no limitations.
The dedication that Barbara showed to her husband and family was likewise present in her relationship with Judaism, embodying Jewish values and maintaining a Jewish family. Of the countless things she did to make simchas and observances celebratory and meaningful, Barbara’s embrace and assurance of the Shabbat will remain in the hearts of those around her. Each week, she created an island in time on Friday nights, filled with unforgettable food, songs, heated debate, and laughter.
Barbara demonstrated her characteristic tenacity and poise during her two-year battle with cancer, fiercely determined no matter how difficult the road was. Throughout her entire life, Barbara was the epitome of elegance and strength at once. That did not change when she became sick.
Barbara had an unmistakeable grace and class that elevated those around her, that made any moment spent with Barbara one worth living. She will be profoundly missed by her entire family: her husband Moses, her children Adam and his wife Tanya, her grandchildren Benjamin and Maya, Sam and his wife Sandra, Sarah and her partner Robin, her mother Inge and her sister Ursula, and all of her extended family. Barbara was predeceased by her father, Arthur.
The funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on November 4, 2020, and shiva was observed privately by the family. We wish to thank Rabbi Yosef Benarroch for officiating Barbara’s funeral, and honourary pallbearers Rabbi Shmuly Altein, Matthew Adelman, Michael Goldberg, David Lipnowsk and Jeff Morry. Minyan participants were Abe Anhang, Jack Craven, Hart Kaplan, Jeff Kliman and Shawn Wolk.
We also wish to thank Dr. Paul Daeninck, Shawna Castillo, and the entire team at the Victoria Hospital CancerCare for their support, attention, and care over the last year and a half.
Donations in Barbara’s honour can be directed to the Barbara Levy Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
ALVIN M. ZIVOT August 3, 1941 – May 28, 2026
Alvin Murray Zivot, aged 94, died at home on May 28, 2026. He was a blessing in life for all of us who loved and admired him, and his memory will always be a blessing. Born in Winnipeg in 1931, he was too young to join the fight against fascism in Europe. He was a Jewish man willing to be counted and counted on.
Alvin dedicated his life to his loving family, close lifelong friends, and the community. He was an unceasingly devoted son to Jack and Lil, loving brother to Gerry and Bernice, loyal and loving husband to Ruby and then Libby, supportive, proud, and affectionate father to Paula and Gary, Eric and Jill, and Joel and Jennifer, and doting Zaida to Sam, Olivia, Solomon, Tovah, Eli, and Lilly. He is survived by his sister-in-law Zoe Piper and her husband Julian Piper.
Alvin enjoyed a long career as a skilled lawyer with an attention to detail and a sterling reputation. He wore his Queens Council recognition with honor. Alvin was more naturally a mediator and consensus builder than an adversary. He was the first chief justice of the Manitoba Landlord-Tenant tribunal. After many years of distinction, he pivoted to running elections for the Manitoba Metis Foundation.
In retirement, he shifted to philanthropy, big and small. He was a serious man who loved to laugh and delighted in those around him. He was the most loyal friend and showed up to provide support in the most difficult situations. He loved his wife Libby, who preceded him in death in 2009. For all who saw the way he looked at her and adored her, it would make anyone know that true love and marriage were real.
Space does not permit the mention of so many people whom he valued and who valued him. He will be buried next to his wife, Libby, and for all of us, we were blessed for the time we had with him. We will miss him for all the days of our lives.
Obituaries
PHYLLIS LEE DANA October 5, 1936 – May 17, 2026
Phyllis Lee Dana came into the world on October 5, 1936, and left it peacefully at home in her sleep on May 17, 2026. Predeceased by her parents Maurice “Lippy” Benson Lipson and Ida “Billie” Lipson née Cohen, she is survived by her husband of over 71 years, Nathan Dana, their children Karen (Harry Havey) and Marshall (Andrea Miller), grandchildren Jessee (Nathaniel) and Josh Havey, her younger brother Edward Lipson (Carol), nephews Michael (Ceren) and Daniel (Doree), beloved cousins, many lifelong friends, and the hundreds who fondly remember her as their kindergarten teacher, “Mrs. Dana”.
An exceptionally talented singer and performer from a young age, she gave up a scholarship to study opera at New York City’s Curtis Institute of Music to marry and start a family with her true love and best friend, Nate – a decision she never regretted for a moment. As expressive and animated off the stage as she was on it, Phyllis was a pillar in Winnipeg’s Jewish community, known for her nearly 30 years of teaching in the Jewish day school system, as a vocal soloist and synagogue choir member, and as an active member of several community organizations.
Phyllis offered a receptive warmth and curiosity to all she met, possessed a keen intellect and a sharp wit, was a gifted writer, poet, and storyteller, prolific baker, voracious reader, lover of butterflies, and made a mean brisket.
Despite being 89 years old, her passing was still unexpected by the remarkable family, community, and legacy she leaves behind, and she will forever be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Because you loved to write in rhyme / Your words so thoughtful and divine / Here’s some for you, straight from the heart / Now from us you’ve had to depart / We cannot thank you near enough / For what you were to all of us / For teaching us to love and sing / And all those children all those things / For how to best articulate / And speak the things most think (not say) / Your voice forever will live on / In stories, teachings, and in song / Your work is done, the time has come / For you to rest, our precious one / Your memory a blessing be, Love you forever,
Phyllis Lee!

