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
ETTIE (EDDY) WERIER
Ettie Werier passed away in her sleep on July 25, 2025, at the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence in Winnipeg.
She will be hugely missed by her many friends and her family. Eddy was predeceased by her husband Lawrence, her younger sister Naomi (Wolfe), her older sister Sherry (Chochinov), her parents Max and Annie and her beloved grandson Koby.
Born Ettie Rubinfield in Ustryke Dolne, Poland in 1928, Eddy arrived in Winnipeg in 1931. She spent her childhood in the North End, where her parents ran a little grocery store on Alfred Avenue. She grew up to be a beautiful young woman with a warm smile and a quick mind.
She met Lawrence Werier, the love of her life, on a train ride to Winnipeg Beach. Eddy obviously wanted adventure, otherwise she would not have chosen Lawrence to be her beloved husband of more than 75 years, because he was always unconventional, but somehow this fit her perfectly. They were married in 1949 and started a family in 1952. While raising three children in River Heights, Eddy often travelled the world with Lawrence, visiting countless out-of-the-way beaches and dozens of countries.
Eddy had a quiet charisma. Maybe it was the mischievous sparkle in her eye or some droll bit of storytelling but all were attracted to her goodness, kindness and wit. Eddy was known for her intelligence, competitive spirit, and love for her family. She was an accomplished bridge player, and whether competing online or with her “bridge ladies,” she played to win, even on her last day. She was never an athlete, but at the age of 50 she took up tennis and became a force to be reckoned with until she retired her racket due to bad knees at the age of 85.
Eddy spent the last few years of her life enjoying the community at the Shaftesbury Residence and developed a strong and loving relationship with her companion and caregiver Tess Braun who is grieving the loss alongside the family, including Eddy’s surviving brother Jack Rubinfield. The family will especially miss the generous love and support she gave her children Kerry, Clifford and Jodie and their life partners Suzanne, Sabrina and Michael, and her grandchildren, Cynthia, Alex and Koby. Whether chatting with Grandma on Facetime or hugging her in her Shaftesbury suite, her family treasured the moments when we could come together in Winnipeg and bask in her smile. If you feel inclined to make a donation in Eddy’s memory, please choose a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Dr. VELIMIR KON B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D. September 18, 1950-June 27, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Velimir Kon, or Shlomo, beloved husband of Branka and father of Deborah and Lea. Velimir was an accomplished teacher and academic, and he was renowned for his intellectualism, humility and humanity.
A gentle soul who was always sociable and who genuinely loved people, Velimir was equally at home in the university classroom as a professor and as a secondary school Biology, Chemistry and Math teacher in Northern Ontario (Big Trout Lake) and Manitoba (God’s River, Berens River). Velimir made a difference to many First Nations students throughout a career that spanned decades. He was dedicated to his students, colleagues and family. An adept and talented pianist, Velimir enjoyed the arts and of course Jewish humour. He was an avid shul goer and supporter of Israel and enjoyed his duties in shul as a Kohayn. Velimir was a man of faith who was able to fuse his love of science and Judaism.
Born in Croatia, Europe (the former Yugoslavia) to Shoah survivors Rose (Rochel, ne Lederer) and Arnold Kon (Ariel), Velimir immigrated to Canada with his wife and girls in 1988, making many personal sacrifices along the way to ensure a peaceful and safe life for his family. Adaptability and optimism characterized Velimir. Known for his heart of gold, Velimir touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. A love of Jewish values, family values and life-long learning and education characterized Velimir. With his charming, outgoing and friendly personality, Velimir welcomed everyone into his life and into our home.
His kindness, humour, generosity and goodness will be deeply missed by his family and friends in Winnipeg, Victoria, B.C., Guelph, ON, Osijek, Croatia, Belgrade, Serbia, Los Angeles and Boston, U.S.A., and Israel, Jerusalem, Haifa and Karmiel. Baruch Dayan Haemet.
A traditional funeral was held on June 30, 2025 at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can still be made to Chabad Lubavitch of Winnipeg, B’nai Brith or the JNF.
Velimir will be forever missed and cherished by Branka, Deborah and Lea.
Obituaries
ELAINE BEVERLEY KAPLAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sister and aunt, Elaine Kaplan. She died on June 24, just a month shy of her 69th birthday.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 months ago, and was given about six months to live, which she was able to exceed with great courage and determination.
Elaine was predeceased by our father Phil Kaplan and mother Bess Kaplan. She is survived by her brothers Gerry (Nancy Hughes), Allan (Rennie) and Sheldon (Mona), along with her nieces and nephews.
Elaine was able to remain at home up until a few days prior to her passing at the St. Boniface Hospital, which was her wish. She was employed by the Canada Revenue Agency for the majority of her career. She loved nature and was devoted to feeding the neighbourhood squirrels and birds. She also adopted and cared for many rescue rabbits over the years. Her family was important to her, and she loved attending family weddings and barbecues.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to a pet rescue of your choice.