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Obituaries

BERNICE LEVINE-RISSIN

Bernice Levine RissinWith 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.

 

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Obituaries

Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025

Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.

Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.

Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.

Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.

In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.

Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell

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Obituaries

LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.

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Obituaries

HERB SINGER

Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.

He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.

Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.

Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.

Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.

Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.

Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.

Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.

Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.

Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.

His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.

Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!

A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.

Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.

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