Obituaries
CARMELA FINKEL (nee SHRAGGE)
We lost our Mom, Bubby, Great-Bubby, Sister, Auntie and friend on October 9, 2020.
Born in Radziechow, Poland on March 22, 1933, our mom Carmela, and her older sister Betty, had a very happy early childhood, helping their mom in the kitchen and playing with friends, but things began to change around her when she was 6, with the rumblings of war and targeting of Jews. In 1941, the Nazis invaded their town. Fearing for their lives as a Jewish family, they went into hiding, ultimately ending up in a tiny mud hollow dug below the home of neighbours. These courageous Polish neighbours and another family risked their own lives, enabling Mom and her family to survive, despite numerous close calls. After 20 months in hiding, they were liberated by Russian soldiers in July 1944. Emerging weak and undernourished, they soon learned of the deaths of countless family members and the devastation of their Jewish community. Mom and her family made sure these two exceptional families were recognized as Righteous Among the Nations at Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
After several years in a Displaced Persons camp in Deggendorf, Germany, Mom and her family emigrated to Winnipeg in October 1948. Mom quickly mastered the English language and graduated with high marks from St John’s Tech.
In December 1952, Mom met the love of her life, Nathan, and after a whirlwind romance, they married on her 20th birthday. A year later, they had their first child, Allan, followed soon after by Marla, Mona and Gina and 5 1/2 years later, Sheldon completed their family.
Mom was the consummate homemaker and took pride in everything she did. She ensured our home was always tidy and filled with the aromas of freshly-baked goodies and delicious homemade meals. The freezers and cold room were always well stocked with preserves, pies, pickles and so much more. Mom really enjoyed sewing and knitting, creating beautiful clothing for herself and for her 3 daughters and even their dolls. Her intricate needlework graced the walls of our home. In later years, Mom spent many hours knitting for Cancer Care Manitoba and was so pleased to hear that her pieces were usually the first items sold.
It was important to Mom that her children have a strong Jewish upbringing and education, and she created a home that reflected that, including lighting Sabbath candles every Friday and observing Jewish holidays with delicious homemade traditional foods and rituals. She was known for her gefilte fish and kreplach and many other specialties. A legacy we all cherish is the Passover seder matzo bags she made for each of her children and grandchildren.
Mom loved music, especially opera, classical and liturgical pieces. She opened this world to us too, a gift we all continue to appreciate and share with our own families.
Mom was a life member of Masada Chapter of Pioneer Women Na’amat and also enjoyed bowling, mahjongg and power walking in Kildonan Park. She loved to travel, especially to see her family, and was so happy to meet many family members at the international ‘Schrage’ family gathering in 2003. Mom joined the workforce in her 40s and spent many years in retail, most notably as nation-wide top salesperson at La Vie en Rose.
Mom’s early years were lived in fear, terror and uncertainty, experiences that shaped her life in many ways. She was overly protective, needing to have her children close at all times and to make sure they were well-fed. In her later years, as difficult and painful as it was, Mom found the strength and courage to share her Holocaust experiences with countless students and others, determined to ensure the world never forgets.
Mom cherished her relationship with her sister Betty, her best friend and confidante. Their daily phone calls and frequent visits were very important to her, knowing they could talk about anything and that they would always be there for one another. Their loving and supportive relationship served as a wonderful model for us.
Family meant everything to Mom. She was so proud of her 5 children and that they all grew to be kind, caring and responsible adults who continued to maintain close relationships with each other. Mom loved spending time with her 12 grandchildren and delighted in the births of her 9 great-grandchildren. We can all still feel Mom’s signature bear hug.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Caroline and Leon, and her beloved husband, Nathan. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her sister Betty, her children Allan (Barb), Marla (Howie), Mona (Patrick), Gina (Bernie) and Sheldon (Arlie), grandchildren Lauren, Evan, Jordan, Adam, Laura, Yale, Jessica, Megan, Julian, Aaron, Cindy and Danny, great-grandchildren Noah, Ruby, Jude, Liam, Abigail, Isla, Jack, Emmy and Lyla, and many nieces, nephews and relatives in Israel and around the world.
Mom’s funeral service was held on October 12, 2020 at the Bnay Abraham Cemetery. Our family would like to thank Mom’s homecare workers and the staff and residents at the Portsmouth for their care and kindness. A special thank you to Tracy Kasner-Greaves for leading the funeral service and for her eulogy, which honoured Mom’s life so beautifully.
Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Carmela Shragge Finkel Holocaust Awareness Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204-477-7525 or https://www.jewishfoundation.org/send-a-card) or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.
Obituaries
DENNIS GERALD DITLOVE NOVEMBER 25, 1936 – DECEMBER 1, 2025
Dennis Gerald Ditlove was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and most of all, humor. He was born on November 25, 1936 in the small town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Louis and Faye Ditlove, and if you knew him at all, you heard plenty of stories about his childhood there. Dennis was a man of unparalleled resolve and an entrepreneur who built Inland Steel through grit and determination.
He retired from Inland Steel in Saskatoon, SK in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and innovation. His unwavering commitment to his work was only outshone by his love for his family and his community in Rancho Mirage, California. Dennis was a man of many talents and passions but he was best known for the relationships he cultivated with everyone he met, and his unparalleled sense of humor.
Dennis is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; and his loving children, Mark (Wendy) Ditlove, Shari Snow and Cindy (Stuart) Tapper; beloved grandchildren, Matthew (Mary) Ditlove, Jacob (Sydney) Ditlove, Danielle (Eli) Dresner, Emily (Max) Snow, Max Bermont, Jillian Snow, Jonah Tapper, Leo Tapper and Henry Tapper; and adored great-grandchildren, Sam and Wynn Ditlove, Goldie and Bernie Dresner. His legacy lives on in them, in the lessons he taught them and the love he gave. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of wisdom in their lives, providing them with a firm foundation on which to build their own successes.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Faye Ditlove; his sister Zora (Walter) Stern; his first wife, Marlene Ditlove; and son-in-law Howard Snow. While there is sorrow in his passing, there is also joy in celebrating a life well-lived, a life that left indelible marks on the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A service to honor and commemorate Dennis’s life was held on Friday December 5th at the Adath Yeshurin Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis.
We invite his family and friends to visit www. hodroff.com/DennisDitlove to rewatch the service. Contributions in name can be be made to the Jewish Federation of the Desert, 69710 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
DEBORAH DOLLY CHISICK (nee SEGAL) NOVEMBER 30, 1942 – DECEMBER 19, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dolly Chisick on Friday, December 19th, at the age of 83. Dolly passed peacefully with her family by her side. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Shannon Chisick-Harman and Sean Chisick; her grandson, Charlie Harman; her siblings, Elaine (Paul) Olin and Barney Segal; her husband, Ernie Chisick; and her nephews, nieces, and many friends. Dolly was predeceased by her beloved parents, Sam Segal in 1998, and Louise Segal in 2006. Dolly was born on November 30, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario. After a few years, her family settled in Winnipeg, where she spent her formative years growing up on Lansdowne Avenue. Dolly graduated from teachers’ college in 1962 and married Ernie in 1964.
Together, they travelled the world, stopping at every museum along the way.
An extraordinary art teacher, Dolly’s career spanned more than fifty years. A gifted educator and passionate artist, she inspired generations of students and instilled in them a lifelong love and appreciation for art. Her creativity, patience, and encouragement left a lasting impact on all who learned from her. Dolly was a deeply caring person who truly loved people, always opening her home and making everyone feel welcome. Her energy was endless. An extraordinary cook, she was especially known for her famous challah buns, lovingly baked and shared, which became a symbol of her care, hospitality, and the comfort she brought to those she loved.
Family and connection were the most important things in Dolly’s life, and she nurtured those bonds with warmth and generosity. Above all else, she adored her children and, later, her grandson, Charlie, taking immense pride and joy in being a devoted Bubi. The bonds and connections Dolly shared with those she loved will remain deeply felt, a lasting source of comfort and strength, and an enduring part of her legacy.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Riverview for their exemplary care and compassion over the past several years. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22nd, at the Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Owen Davidson, Myles Davis, Marc Goldberg, Michael Goldberg, Jordan Hochman, and Jordan Farber.
In memory of Dolly, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.