Obituaries
DEBBY (SLOBINSKY) LEXIER May 28, 1929 to July 21, 2020
Athlete, aesthete, early adopter, stylish dresser, party-thrower, voracious reader, world traveler, prodigious note writer, award-winning gardener – these are but a few of the many ways to describe the one and only, Debby Lexier.
A long-time River Heights resident, born in the north end of Winnipeg, Debby and her husband Easton designed their own Modernist home and lived in it for over 60 years. Their house at 690 Lanark and their award-winning gardens were a tremendous source of joy and pride.
Debby graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from the University of Manitoba and quickly landed a job with GBR Architects, where she was the first BID graduate ever hired by an architectural office. Other “firsts” include being a founding member and the first President of the Interior Designer’s Institute of Manitoba. In addition to numerous freelance projects, Debby wrote weekly articles on Interior Design for The Winnipeg Tribune and was a lecturer on Interior Design at adult evening school. She also lent her expertise as a juror for the Premier’s Award for Design Excellence, for the National Design Council, and for the Canadian Awards for Business Excellence. She represented Manitoba and Canada on numerous committees, was the Director of the Design Management Centre at the University of Manitoba, and was the Executive Director of the Manitoba Design Institute. Debby had a great interest in travel and participated in many of the research trips organized by the Study Tour of International Design, which took her to Russia, Scandinavia, Europe and China.
She appreciated well-made, well-considered objects, and filled her house with progressive art and design. She was known for her parties, which were planned and colour-coordinated to the smallest detail. She loved flowers – growing them, drawing them and pressing them inside many of the books found in her home. She was massively creative, and supported and encouraged the creatively of others.
Debby Lexier was a cool auntie and a very engaged grandparent. She created a world where the ordinary became extraordinary, where no one was allowed to be bored. Significant events were always celebrated with sparklers.
Pre-deceased by her husband Easton earlier this year, her parents Jack and Sarah, as well as sisters Fraidla (Pollick) and Marcie (Raber), Debby leaves daughter Jill Lexier (Neil Samuels), sons Jonathan (Paula) Lexier and Micah Lexier (Guy Anderson), grandchildren Josh Lexier, Suzanne Lexier and Lex Samuels as well as some 50 nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and administration of The Saul & Claribel Simkin Center, where Debby spent her final years, for their care and attention. Special thanks to Lisa Gregg, Debby’s caregiver and “angel”, for her love and devotion. Tributes can be made to The Simkin Centre.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.