Obituaries
BETTY GOLDIE GILFIX
It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Betty Goldie Gilfix on June 11, 2021 (1st Tammuz) in her 99th year. The funeral was held on June 13, 2021 under COVID restrictions.
She was the beloved wife of Joseph, for over 65 years and mother of Brian (Eleanor) Gilfix of Montreal and Debby (Brian) Sussman of Edmonton. She was predeceased by her parents, Maurice and Mary Kleiman, her brother, Harvey Kleiman, and her sister, Ruth Selby (late Louis).
She is sadly missed by her brother Jack Kleiman of Calgary, sister Ruth Aisenstat (late Bennie) of Winnipeg, and Ann Eist (late Harold) of Bethesda.
She is also sadly missed by her four grandchildren, Reisa Gilfix, Marshall (Sabrina) Sussman, Darien (Carrie) Sussman, and Charlotte Sussman; six great-grandchildren, Ella, Sophie, Noah, Marlee, Max and Ben; and nieces and nephews.
Mom was born on October 23, 1922 and grew up in Hirsch Colony, Saskatchewan, one of the Jewish Farming settlements founded by Baron de Hirsch. Mom attended the Saskatchewan Normal School where she obtained her teaching certificate in 1942. After teaching a short time in Saskatchewan, she moved to Winnipeg where she met Dad at a “Hard Times Dance”. They were married in Winnipeg in 1947 and soon started a family. In 1950, they moved into a new home on Rupertsland Avenue.
On Rupertsland Avenue, she made many friends, some life long. She and Dad played in a bridge group that developed on the street that lasted many decades.
Mom and Dad remained in the house for 64 years before first Dad and then Mom moved into the Simkin Centre. Fortunately, they had a period there together until Dad’s passing later in 2014. They had celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary on October 19, 2012.
Mom had returned to teaching in the 1960’s to help support the family and served as a supply teacher in Seven Oaks School Division No. 10 and later in Winnipeg School Division No. 1 until she retired in 2004. She always treasured the many friends and acquaintances she made over the many years teaching. She even took driving lessons at a later age in order to go to the various schools.
Mom dedicated her life to her family and especially to her children. She always took great pride in speaking about her children and would do anything for them. She enjoyed nothing better then making her special chocolate cookies for her children.
Mom’s last years were very challenging. Yet she showed great resilience and stamina even surviving a bout of COVID.
We wish to thank the staff of the Simkin Centre and especially on Weinberg 2 for their care over the years.
Donations in her memory can be made to the Simkin Centre or to the charity of your choice.
“An accomplished woman, who can find
– Far beyond pearls is her value.”
The unveiling of a monument will take place on Monday, May 23, 2022 at noon (12 p.m.) at the Bnay Abraham Cemetery, 4639 Main Street.
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.