Obituaries
BEVERLEY MANISHEN
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Beverley Manishen at the great age of 95 on May 10, 2022 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.
She will be deeply missed by her sons James (Joy), Jeffrey (Joanne Anderson) and Dr. Wayne (Carol) Manishen, grandchildren Sarah, Ira, Aaron, Jaclyn and Joshua Manishen plus the many in Beverley’s extended family and friends. Shortly before her passing, Beverley was living in her own Tuxedo house, independent as always, shopping, cooking, reading her beloved New York Times, staying in touch with friends and observing the world with probing insight she never lost.
Beverley was born on January 4, 1927, the only child of Jack and Mary Stein. She grew up in the south end of Winnipeg, graduating from Kelvin High School and then attending the University of Manitoba. Beverley was an excellent pianist and Manitoba Music Festival winner. Adjudicator Arthur Benjamin – the famous composer/pianist and piano teacher of composer Benjamin Britten – was so taken with her playing, he offered to arrange a scholarship for her to study with him at London’s Royal College of Music. But that wasn’t something young Jewish Winnipeg girls did at that time. In keeping with that, a few years later a match made in heaven took place.
Picture a very dashing, charismatic, creative young man with a warm smile and playful humour. Now picture a sweet young thing, petite and pretty with an infectious laugh and eyes that sparkle. It is easy to see that on a warm summer’s night in Winnipeg Beach these two might spot each other and begin a love and friendship that would last a lifetime.
This was Melvin Manishen and Beverley Stein. They were married on July 2, 1947 and enjoyed almost 60 years together before Melvin passed away on November 10, 2006. Beverley mourned his loss every day for the rest of her life.
Beverley’s devotion to family-and-friends (notice the hyphen, because friends became family) was extraordinary. She was always there for everyone.
She understood the rough and tumble world of business and her support for Melvin’s career was unwavering. She knew that business owners needed to savor success in order to be motivated, and Beverley insisted Melvin feel that way while he worked so hard to support the family. Many business friends and rewards followed, both here and in Palm Springs where so many unforgettable winter moments were spent at the family retreat.
She was totally behind all the efforts of her three active sons, always there to stimulate their diverse interests as they moved forward with their lives. Her grandchildren were precious to her.
And then there were the friends, or better put, friends for life who adored Beverley. That was what she sincerely cultivated.
Beverley loved them all and went out of her way to know their deepest interests so that she could elevate their lives through a gesture, a gift – anything that would make them feel special and valued, aided by her incredible memory of their smallest details. Never did she attend a gathering without a call the next day to tell the host how much she enjoyed the event.
While fishing, golf, music and travel were passions that Beverley and Mel shared, community involvement and philanthropy have been central themes in the Manishen home. Beverley was a past president of the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood as well as past president of the Israeli Chapter of Hadassah. No charity went unanswered.
Beverley’s funeral was held Friday May 13 at the Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park, Rabbi Anibal Mass officiating. Pallbearers were James, Joy, Jeffrey and Dr. Wayne Manishen, George Bricker and Dr. Neal Lerner. Special recognition must go to Wayne, whose extraordinary care for Beverley’s needs permitted her comfort and security over many months.
Donations in Beverley’s memory may be made to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, L’Dor Va Dor Capital Campaign at https://szfuture.ca or by calling 204-452-3711.
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.