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.
