Obituaries
BERNICE LEVINE-RISSIN
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Bernice Levine-Rissin on June 17, 2021, at the age of 86. She is survived by her children, Allan Levine (Angie), Brian Levine (Susan), Shayla Morrison (Jeff) and Joel Levine (Stephen Hinds);
grandchildren Jason Levine (April), Shawn Levine (Heather Doi), Justin Levine (Hayley), Alexander Levine (Shannon), Mia Shaffer (Geoff), Megan Morrison (Aaron Clarfield) and Brooke Morrison; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Rachel, Piper, Hurin, Josephine, Meyer, Liliana, McCartney, Kole, Erica and Emmy; her brother Mel Kliman (Wendy Wright) and her sister Sharon Earn (Brian) She will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her husbands, Marvin Levine and Joe Rissin, parents, Sam and Sarah Kliman, sister Freda Morry and her husband Manuel Morry.
Bernice was born on January 10, 1935 in Holland, Manitoba where her parents ran a general store. She and her siblings worked in the store and participated in all of the community’s events. On the High Holidays, the family would journey to Brandon, Portage la Prairie, or Winnipeg for prayer services. Passover also entailed extended visits of relatives from other towns for large seder gatherings. Summers and other holidays were the same. She remembered her house in Holland often being filled with aunts, uncles, and cousins, sleeping anywhere there was room. She had many fond memories of skating, curling, and going to hockey and baseball games with her school friends.
She married Marvin in 1954 and they had thirty-nine happy years together raising four children, participating in Jewish community events, summering at their mobile home in Gimli and in later years spending winters in Palm Springs. After Marvin passed away in 1993, she married Joe in 1996 and they, too, enjoyed their families and friends and traveled together until Joe passed away in 2013.
Bernice was a kind and generous person. She was a devoted mother and a great cook, especially during the holidays. Whatever the occasion, the Mixmaster always came out and she got down to work. Later when three of her children left Winnipeg, she never failed to bring an extra suitcase of cookies, cakes and other goodies when she traveled to visit them and their families.
She was the happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She led an active life filled with friends, fun and laughter. She enjoyed bowling, playing Mahjong and bridge, and long walks especially in Gimli and Palm Springs. She was active in ORT, the Rosh Pina sisterhood, and involved in the synagogue’s activities. For many years, she worked in the offices of the Rosh Pina Synagogue and then the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.
The past five years or so were very difficult for her and she faced a myriad of health problems. She was strong and courageous and learned how to use a prosthetic after she lost a leg. Early in 2020, she relocated to the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre Personal Care Home. Our family would like to thank everyone at the Simkin, especially the staff on Weinberg 3, for providing excellent care of her particularly over the past year during the pandemic. Though we could not see her all of the time, we were never concerned that she was not receiving the best of care. We will all miss her a lot and cherish our memories of her.
Funeral service and burial took place at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on June 20, 2021, officiated by Rabbi Anibal Mass. Pallbearers were: Allan Levine, Alexander Levine, Jeff Morrison, Geoff Shaffer, Yale Shaffer and Evan Cantor.
Donations in Bernice’s memory may be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.