Obituaries
BLUMIE PORTNOY
BLUMIE PORTNOY passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Blumie was predeceased by her parents, Ida and Sam Polinsky, her brother, Dave Polinsky, sisters-in-law, Betty and Phyllis Polinsky, and her beloved husband, Iser Portnoy. She is survived by her daughters Phyllis Portnoy (Rory Egan), Susanna Portnoy (John Bluethner), and Sallie Portnoy; grandchildren Becky Chisick, David Johnson (Linda), Lorien Johnson, Cassandra Bluethner, and Ben Portnoy; great-grandchildren Nicholas, Jonathan and Amaya van der Veen, Lily Chisick, and Felix and Spencer Johnson; and brother, Ron Polinsky. Funeral services were held at Shaarey Zedek synagogue on Monday, May 29; pallbearers were Becky, David, Cassandra, Ben, Nicholas and Jonathan; honorary pallbearers were Blumie’s nieces and nephew Shirley Stone, Sandra Polinsky, and Max Polinsky.
Blumie was born in Winnipeg in 1924. She attended Peretz school, Talmud Torah, St John’s High School, and United College, but she acquired her outstanding quiet wisdom at the Polinsky school of family, friendship and Jewish tradition. She and Iser were sweethearts from the age of 15. Together they traveled the world, spent summers at Winnipeg Beach and winters in Florida, very often with close friends or children and grandchildren in attendance, and they were a strong presence in the Winnipeg community. They were a paragon of loving and caring and generosity that Blumie carried on with determination and passion throughout her 26 years of very active single life. Blumie’s smile lit up a room, and her vitality was unparalleled. She was a champion speed-skater, an award-winning bowler, a pro at tennis, a whiz at bridge (which she continued playing right up to this February). She was also an accomplished pianist and an award-winning member of Hadassah. Blumie was very close with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they adored her no-nonsense, feisty good humor. For her daughters she was a guiding force, always able to see the clearest path through all complexity and pretext, and always helping to put things into better perspective; it was like having a conscience as well as a guardian angel by our sides. Blumie’s remarkable integrity and sincerity set her apart and won her life-long friendships. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a woman who charmed the world with style and grace.
The family would like to thank Dr. John Rabson and Debby, Tess, Hilda, Lana and Myra, all who did so much to enhance our mother’s later years. Donations in her memory may be made to the Iser and Blumie Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).