Obituaries
CAROL RACHEL GOLDENSTEIN
Carol Rachael Goldenstein, nee Schwartz, passed suddenly in her home in Edmonton, Alberta, on June 30, 2022. Carol is survived by her devoted husband George Goldenstein, her loving children, son Michael Baron (Donata) of Edmonton, Alberta, daughter Lisa Brodsky (David) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughter Jennifer Joseph of Los Angeles, California, adored grandsons Ryan, Dylan (Kelly), Sean (Geraldine) and Zachary, sister Esther Cybulsky of North Carolina, sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces in Thunder Bay, the USA and France.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband Robert Joseph and her parents Max and Pauline Schwartz.
Carol was a loving wife and friend to her husband George and devoted mother and “Baba” to her beloved children and grandchildren. Carol is greatly missed and her memory will always be cherished. Carol was born and raised in the legendary “North End” of Winnipeg when the area was populated by a preponderance of Jewish and Ukrainian hardworking immigrants. She always felt fortunate to have attended Norquay School where she received a wonderful elementary education with a strong emphasis on respect, morality and valour; values which were instilled in the students along with a solid foundation in reading, writing and arithmetic. Carol loved and excelled in sports, from baseball, volleyball, basketball, to track and field, and was particularly proud of having participated in the inter-provincial high school hurdle competition for Manitoba.
Carol attended Talmud Torah Hebrew School, Norquay Elementary School, Aberdeen Junior High School, St. Johns High School and United College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (English, Psychology).
Carol spent many hours working in her parents’ grocery store in the North End where she met a myriad of interesting characters from all walks of life. She could recount many hilarious as well as hair-raising stories of her life growing up in the North End. Carol learned early in life the value of hard work and dependability, and imparted the same principles to her three children in order teach them to be self-reliant.
Although experiencing some struggles in her life, Carol managed, through determination and strength of character, to overcome all obstacles. Above all else, Carol was a survivor. She always felt blessed to have met the “love of her life”, her husband George who, she said, made her “feel like a queen” and filled her later years with so much love and happiness…something she never expected to happen at that time her life.
Carol’s beloved husband George made her fantasy of travelling to Paris come true (twice). They also travelled throughout Canada, the United States, Cuba, and the ultimate trip-to Israel, where they swam in the Mediterranean, toured Tel Aviv and were thrilled to explore the living history of Jerusalem where they were privileged to celebrate George’s Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel (the Western Wall of the Temple Mount).
Carol loved Winnipeg, her home town where she was born and raised. Her interests were many and varied, from movies, books, concerts, theatre, opera, symphony, ballet, chess, gardening, travel, camping, trips to Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, the Forks, Assiniboine Park and the Zoo, to the Manitoba Moose and the Winnipeg Goldeyes games.
Carol was employed for many years by various businesses and institutions in Winnipeg, including, the University of Manitoba Medical College, and the RBC Convention Centre.
In her last years living in Winnipeg, Carol found herself caring for her husband George’s recovery from a serious illness. George went from a near death experience to nearly full recovery, due to Carol’s nursing and help. But then the tables turned, and age caught up, and Carol found herself slowly getting worse and worse. At this time, her kids were all living far away, and they had no home care or other support service of any kind. They were basically on their own, and the health issues grew and grew. Something had to be done.
So 14 days before Covid struck, they miraculously sold their house and moved to Edmonton, to live in one of their son Michael’s two houses, which were within a 5 kilometre drive of each other. Both Carol and George were amazed with Edmonton, not only because of the fantastic daily in-home support Carol was receiving from Alberta Health Services, but also from Jewish Family Services as represented by the wonderful Rhonda Eidelman. Rhonda was a blessing in Carol’s life.
Carol was also impressed with the kindness and politeness of strangers in Edmonton, even minor things like holding open doors. She noted a consistency of this kindness in Edmonton. And she loved her neighbours, particularly Lauren and Mike across the street, whom she had visited for a pool party only two days before her death.
For the last few years of her life in Edmonton, Carol had the pleasure of getting to spend quality time with her son Michael and spouse Donata. Tours and hikes in the mountains of Jasper, Banff and Canmore, small lake hikes in Camrose and various Edmonton communities and the river valley, and many barbecues and dinners at both houses were enjoyed. She loved her back yard, her flowers, the birds (particularly the blue jays) and just sitting on the deck in the sun, listening to music. As she loved movies, she watched many together with George, Michael and Donata, and the last one she really enjoyed watching, while all four grandsons were visiting, was “Nobody”, with Bob Odenkirk, filmed in her beloved Winnipeg.
In the last week of her life, Carol had a glow of true joy on her face when her son Michael showed her videos and pictures from the wedding of her grandson Sean, which was held in Minneapolis on June 18, 2022. It pained her greatly to have missed this wedding…she had always dreamed of dancing at her grandsons’ weddings. Her health did not allow this. But the videos and pictures seemed to capture enough to make her smile.
On the last day of her life, her son Michael came over to work on repairing the garage stucco. She acted happy to see him as she always did, and was looking forward to the Rugelach treats he had brought for her and George’s enjoyment. Within the hour, she was gone.
Carol was enthusiastic about life and was reluctant to leave this earth as she was curious as to what was going to happen next and didn’t want to miss any of it! She had a wonderful sense of humour and could always make you laugh even in the most trying of circumstances.
A funeral was held at the Etz Chayim Synagogue on July 5, 2022. Interment was at Bnay Abraham Cemetery, West St. Paul. Pallbearers were her son-in-law David Brodsky, and her grandsons: Ryan, Dylan, Sean and Zachary, and Marvin Ben-Ari. If so desired, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
Private shiva
“The song is ended but the melody lingers on.”
Obituaries
BRENLEE WERNER
Brenlee was born on August 30, 1935 and died December 11, 2024.
Brenlee, so named as family legend has it, because her mother, Sarah Brotman wanted Brenda and her father, Ernest Brotman, wanted Leah, and so the original Brenlee was born. She grew up at 55 Bannerman the oldest of three extraordinary daughters including Caroline and Bonnie the youngest. Brenlee, the beautiful and talented 17-year-old, was spotted by a dashing neighbour, the handsome Nate Werner, and a lifelong love story was born. He said “I’m going to marry that girl” when spotted walking with her father. And he did.
She enrolled in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, in Interior Design and was crowned university Freshie Queen at a gala event. She was renowned for her beauty and style. When she moved to New York where Nate had his ophthalmology residency, she completed her design degree at the Pratt Institute.
Brenlee and Nate travelled the world together, well before such journeys were popular; to Japan, to Europe and to Israel after the six-day war. So began their dedication to Israel, and her drive to move her family there for a sabbatical year in 1972. They were constant companions, on winter vacations in Palm Springs and in the summer at Falcon Lake.
Brenlee was a determined feminist who always worked outside the home at a time when this was not the norm. She had a passion for business. She became a Real Estate Broker and Developer. It was her Highgate Project where she was really a trailblazer: the first in Winnipeg to renovate a heritage building into condos. She also developed Banbury Court, Crescent Court and Bonaventure Village. She was a consummate professional respected by contractors, engineers and the architects with whom she worked. She was the property manager of the Western Canada Lottery Building for 25 years where she was a tough lease negotiator, dedicated to her tenants’ concerns.
Brenlee had a great zest for life: she was a healthy lifestyle personified. Some days she could hardly be seen behind the piles of newspapers, New Yorker magazines, the Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She loved intellectual pursuits, and was an avid reader. She was intelligent and kind.
She was very proud of her daughters, Janet and Shelley, and supported them both in their careers. Shelley, also an interior designer shared an office with her for many years which allowed them to collaborate easily on business projects. She supported Janet’s pursuit of fine art and helped facilitate her years of education in Baltimore and at Yale. She took great pleasure in giving visitors a tour of her apartment, showing her mother’s and Janet’s paintings and books.
With her grandsons, her playful spirit came out, whether baking with Lewis or dancing in the kitchen with Jonah she had the gift of being really present when she was with you. She saw you and knew just what you needed from her. She had more energy than all of us combined. She was a bright shining star, our touchstone, and the heart of our family.
She will be forever missed by daughters Janet and partner Adrian Norvid, Shelley and husband Michael Draycott, grandsons Lewis Robinovitch and wife Robyn Cambruzzi, Jonah Simmonds and great-grandson Zev Robinovitch.
The funeral was held Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Chesed Shel Emes. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and gave a fitting tribute to Brenlee.
The family gives thanks to Brenlee’s caregivers for their love and for making her a part of their families: Lhyn Vinan, Melisa Caluza, Ellen May Bautista, Edna Maula and Leo Policarpio. Special thanks to Isabel Vieira who worked with her for over 20 years.
Donations may be made in Brenlee’s honour to JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Services) 204-477-7430.
Obituaries
RIVA-LEE MCWILLIAM
It is with broken hearts we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Wife and Baba, Riva Lee McWilliam (Rudelier), suddenly, after a difficult year of health challenges. Survived by her loving husband, Scott, her absolute other half, high school sweethearts of 56 years, and married 47 years, and her three daughters, Beth Jacob (Jonathan), Rachel and Megan, and grandsons Kiva and Shale Jacob. She is also survived by her sister Rashi (Harold) and brother Nelson as well as nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews plus the extended McWilliam family and her adoring crew of close girlfriends. As a young woman, Riva lost her own mother and father Ray and Meyer Rudelier, too soon.
Riva was born February 3, 1954. She would tell you she was “born in St Boniface” but really, she came from the North End of Winnipeg. The baby of her family, and the apple of her dad’s eye. During her childhood, her family migrated south to Montrose Street. She attended Herzlia for a year before Montrose School and Grant Park. In those years, that crew of close girlfriends established and grew tight-knit and remained that way all her life. In 1968 Scott moved in across the street. Riva was a beautiful hippy with the most beautiful hair, and so she naturally caught his attention- the actual boy next door. He waved at her through the window, and the rest is history.
She went to university and earned a degree in social work, followed by a brief career in the field before she married Scott and had their first daughter, Beth, followed by Rachel. From the time she became a mother, her daughters were the permanent centres of her universe. She made Beth and Rachel the happiest sisters ever when she gave birth to a giant bundle of joy, Megan. She drove a million carpools, took daughters to million lessons, asked a million questions, ran a million errands, and made a million meals. She took us out for a million ice cream cones in the summer, and a million more beach days to escape the city heat. She was the ultimate caretaker, Riva’s absolute purpose in this life was to be a mother to all those she loved.
Scott and Riva opened a store together in the early aughts, an exciting venture to take as a couple, albeit short-lived. She went back to work at Canadian Footwear and worked faithfully there in the Foot Health Centre for over 20 years.
She stood by her beshert- her intended- Scott though thick and thin. Riva was an unshakeable matriarch. Steadfast in her devotion to support her family through sickness and health, richer and poorer, better or worse. She weathered every storm with an impossible strength. Later in life, she reached out to offer support and understanding to other families struggling through many of the same challenges we’ve faced. She rooted her family in a foundation of profound love and commitment, and we honour her by putting those values first in everything.
In Riva’s memory we ask that any donations be directed to Jewish Child and Family Services, earmarked for addictions and mental health support, or to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, that brought Kuma into her life.
“To love another person
is to see the face of god.”
This is the kind of love that Mom, in her way, gave tirelessly to her world.
Obituaries
SID SCHWARTZMAN
We lost our dear father and grandfather on Thursday December 19, 2024. Sid passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side. Born on July 31, 1930, in Winnipeg, Sid was the son of Luis and Anne Schwartzman and brother to Herb Schwartzman. Sid lived a long and fulfilling life, devoted to his family, friends, and community.
He leaves to mourn, his children, Lisa (Joel) and Neil (Gina), and Grandsons, Noah and Eli, plus his many friends.
Sid was blessed with an outgoing personality, and he exuded spirit, humor, loyalty, and honesty. Sid had a great passion for delicatessens. He loved a corned beef sandwich, party sandwiches, a butter tart, and a “nice fruit cup.” He was the first to take you to a hole in the wall for a great burger or hot dog. Then top it all off with an ice cream cone from McDonalds.
Sid graduated from St. Johns high school and subsequently started a career in sales. Sid spent 30 years as a sales manager for Richlu manufacturing. Sid loved working and was very lucky to find meaning and purpose there. Sid retired at the age of 87 which was a difficult but reasonable choice
It was through his career in sales that he met Marsha. After a short courtship, they fell in love and married. They greatly enjoyed their lives together and spent their time going to the theatre, symphony, travelling, and spending time with their many wonderful friends. They were married for 50 years.
Sid will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marsha Schwartzman Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A funeral will be held graveside at Sharrey Zedek cemetery at 11am on Sunday, Decmeber 22.
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