Obituaries
CHERYL ANNE (LAVITT) LAZAR November 2, 1965 – June 30, 2020
After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Cheryl Anne Lazar, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt, passed away on June 30, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2008, Cheryl was told that she had two years left. Always a fighter, she managed to add an extra decade to her life, living a relatively full life until her last month.
Cheryl was born in Winnipeg on November 2, 1965 to Adam and Judy (Schaffer) Lavitt, the second of four daughters. Cheryl grew up in the Garden City area of Winnipeg, and attended school at Talmud Torah, Forest Park School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Garden City Collegiate.
After graduating high school, Cheryl entered the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. After graduation she entered the work force as an auditor, spending most of her career with Arctic Cooperatives Ltd.. As an auditor with ACL, she got to travel to many far north communities, which appealed to her adventurous spirit. She came to know and appreciate the people and culture of the Inuit of the far north.
Cheryl had a free-spirited, outgoing personality, and made friends easily. While accompanying some friends to a party in 1988, she introduced herself to the party host, Michael Lazar. After “running in to” each other several times over the next few months, they began to date. On April 1, 1990, while seated on “The Climbing Tree” in Kildonan Park, Michael proposed to Cheryl, and they were married on August 4, 1991. In keeping with Cheryl’s thirst for adventure, Cheryl and Michael honeymooned by backpacking their way through France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Israel.
Family and friends were very important to Cheryl. She was a dedicated soccer mom (and hockey mom, basketball mom, and baseball mom) to her three children. She was a cheerleader for their exploits in the arts and theatre, and always ready to help “encourage” them to finish their homework. She nourished and relished in long-term friendships from her days in Garden City, with her “Commerce Girls”, her friends from the Atah young Jewish adults group, from the neighborhood on Embassy Lane and later on Driscoll Crescent, from Congregation Etz Chayim, and many other friends that she made along the way. She was always there to celebrate good times, and to comfort in hard times.
Cheryl was pre-deceased by her father, Adam Lavitt, her grandparents, Liselotte and Abraham Schaffer and Harry and Eda Lavitt, and her in-laws, Rhona and Ronald Lazar. She is survived by her husband, Michael Lazar, her three sons, Elliot, Gabriel and Levi Lazar, her sisters Helen Lavitt-Smith (Carey), Debby Lavitt, and Susan Boyd (Ryan), her nephews and nieces Shannon (Jeff), Jeremy, Benji, Breanne, Brooke, Rory, Ezra (Sonia), Yona, Galya, Gilon, Casey, Solly, Aaron, Rachel and Jack, and great-nephews Max and Noah.
Cheryl’s funeral was held at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, officiated by Rabbi Kliel Rose and Cantor Tracy Kasner. Pallbearers were Bert Schaffer, Allan Schaffer, Ron Worb, Gary Lazar, Matthew Lazar, and Joel Kay.
Cheryl’s family would like to thank her oncologist, Dr. Valerie Gordon, and the doctors and nurses at the Health Science Centre. They would also like to thank the many family members and friends who have lent their support both during Cheryl’s illness and following her passing.
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).
Obituaries
EDWARD (BARNEY) SEGAL
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward “Barney” Segal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 70.
Barney will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Elaine (Paul) Olin; his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephew: Jason Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Jessica and Shirley Ransby; Brenlee, David, Hayley, and Leah Selchen; and Daniel, Jordi, Poppy, and Skylar Olin; Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sam Segal (1998) and Louise Segal (2006), and by his sister, Dolly Chisick (December 2025).
Barney was born on April 27, 1955, in Winnipeg, where he lived his entire life. He spent his formative years on Lansdowne Avenue, a place that remained close to his heart and was filled with many fond memories throughout his life. Barney was the youngest of four children, and from an early age, he was a spirited and energetic presence, full of personality and spark.
Barney carried that same determination and energy into his adult life. With an unwavering work ethic, he pursued a career in education while working full-time, earning his degree from the University of Manitoba. He went on to dedicate many years to teaching and supporting schools throughout Winnipeg. Barney took great pride in helping students grow, always striving to make a lasting impression on the young people whose lives he touched.
He was fiercely loyal to his family, his friends, and the communities he served. Barney found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments: cheering on the Chicago Bears, sharing vivid stories about his parents and days gone by, riding his motorcycle, and heading out on long road trips in his beloved Jeep, “Sparky,” always in search of the next good story.
Barney will be remembered for his strong spirit, his storytelling, his sense of humor, and the genuine care he showed to those around him. His presence filled a room, and his absence leaves a space that cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Olin, Jason Olin, Laurie Gorenstein, Jeff Brown, Gavin Rich, and Mark Lomow. Honorary pallbearers were Brenlee Selchen, David Selchen, Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman, Jordi Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Rick Lousier, Ben Szymkow, Ron Nelson, Leroy Fox, Robert Marvin, and Gerry Dudley.
In memory of Barney, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.