Obituaries
CLAIRE SHINDLEMAN
Claire Shindleman passed away peacefully on November 21, 2019 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, one day after her birthday.
Claire was born in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba to Samuel and Anne Abells. Her siblings, all of blessed memory, were Rose Sarbit, and Bill, Hess and Charlie Abells. Claire is survived by her sons, Robert, Sandy, and Daniel, daughters-in-law Diane and Andrea, and grandchildren Edward, Henry, Annie and Anna-Lena.
Claire also leaves nephews and nieces, and a brother-in-law, Jack.
After a long illness with Alzheimer’s that sadly robbed Claire of much of life’s pleasures she is and will always remain missed tremendously. We cherish her memory, her unending love for family and friends, her selflessness and caring for the communities in which she lived. She taught well by example how to treat all others with respect and kindness, that a job worth doing was worth doing well, that you have to invest time and effort in whatever you do, and that success is a byproduct not an end goal of a life well lived. Claire lived selflessly to help others. She cherished the company of friends, loved to dance, took great care in being a gracious host, devoted wife, amazing cook and baker. As a woman in the first half of the 20th century, she was dissuaded from achieving her professional goals. Her first job was working in the family grocery store, and then after completing high school she worked at Palm Dairies in Winnipeg. Claire remembered these days with great affection for her colleagues.
Claire married Edward Shindleman and, after marriage, moved to Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She quickly became a part of the fabric of Portage. She immersed herself in improving the school curriculum, she ran for school trustee, was on the Portage and District General Hospital Board, and all the while pursued golf (Portage Golf Club, and later at the Glendale Golf Club) and bridge (Life Master) with great passion. She was active with Hadassah Wizo. She welcomed the opportunities she had to travel including visits to Europe. She took an active interest in the family business activities. Claire took seriously the responsibilities of being a Canadian and a voter. She read extensively, informing herself on topics of the day, and formulated her own view. She supported and worked actively for charitable causes and the betterment of health care and research in Manitoba.
Gratitude to pallbearers Jerry Abells, Michael Golden, Michael Kowalson, Howie Raber, Michael Stronger and Fil Zimerman. Claire’s family also express their gratitude to Claire’s wonderful caregivers who showed respect and willingness always to assist. They include Lhyn, Patty, Melanie, Ivy, Milyn, Rothel, Maria, Lilyann, Joanna and Karla.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, Manitoba Heart & Stroke Foundation, or Gray Academy of Jewish Education.
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).