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
RITA TRITT
March 29, 1925 – February 22, 2025
Just a month before her 100th birthday, Rita passed away peacefully with family by her side. She was the last of her generation of the large Weidman family, one of the earliest Jewish families in Winnipeg. Growing up in Winnipeg, she attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from there. Rita was a very talented artist; she attended the Forum Art Institute for many, many years where she enjoyed the mentorship and camaraderie of fellow artists. She was proud of having sold several hundred pieces of her work over her time there.
Rita was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joe Tritt, in 1986. She is survived by her loving family, her children: Jacki and Sheldon Koven, Steven Tritt and Sharon Goszer Tritt; grandchildren: Lesley Koven and Eric Thomas, Mara Koven-Lapointe and Ryan Lapointe, Joseph Tritt and Shaun Castor; great-grandchildren: Ayla and Eli Thomas, and Kate Lapointe.
Funeral services were held on February 24, 2025. Rita’s family is grateful for the warm and attentive care of Sherryl and Sergio and all the staff on Weinberg 1 at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Rita lived for the last 3 years. If friends wish, a donation in Rita’s memory can be made to the Simkin Centre or the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ISABELLE BOOK
It is with sadness and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our family matriarch Isabelle Book. Izzy was born on November 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
She was predeceased by her parents Clara and Jacob Brownstein, her brother Walter, her sister Minnie Goldman, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother-in-law Noel and a fabulous group of women who shared a friendship that lasted decades.
She is survived by her 4 children, Warren and Faye Book, Marilyn and David Pressman, Jacqueline and Jory Stillwater and David and Elaine Book. She was a very proud Baba to Hilary Book, Deborah Book and Mike James, Laurie and Ginny Stillwater, Kayleigh and Barrett Ruggles, Adam Book and Gabe Bloomfield-Book and Seth Book and Amy Shore. She so enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of her great-grandchildren Hugo, Marcus, Reese, Maverick, Richie and Sullivan. She will also be greatly missed by her sister -in- law and dear friend Shirley Book.
Izzy had a great sense of humour and was often unable to get to the punchline of a joke because she was laughing so hard. She could be stubborn and strong minded. She would dig in her heels if she felt she was being pushed to make a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Izzy enjoyed time with family and friends but was also very comfortable with her own company.
Izzy knew what it meant to be a friend. She was a kind compassionate woman who cherished the people in her life and was always our biggest fan. Our mom was a quality human being who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Izzy lived by the Golden Rule. She lived a long, healthy life but remained seriously young at heart.
There are memories to last a lifetime, ones that we will keep close as we honour her memory. We were blessed to have her for as long as we did, strong, loving and sharp until almost the end. She modeled what it meant to live a good life. She also did it on her terms.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 9 at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at the Rosewood (Maple House) where she lived. She bonded with many of the wonderful people who cared and supported her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025
Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.
Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.
In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.
The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.
A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg. Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.
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