Obituaries
DOREEN BROWNSTONE O.M.
Doreen Brownstone passed away peacefully at Riverview Health Centre on Friday, December 16, 2022. Doreen was predeceased by her parents, Jessie and Mark Stein, her sister, Laura Hoffman, her sons Michael and Jonny, and her daughter Sheila. She is survived by her grandsons Cole Brownstone and Kyle Reese Wunder, by her special “surrogate daughter” Patricia Hunter and her family—Zaz, Abbie, and Adele Bajon—and by her extensive “theatre family”. Funeral services were held graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on Sunday, December 18; pallbearers were Susanna Portnoy, John Bluethner, Harry Nelken, Mariam Bernstein, Daniel Thau Eleff and John Myers; honourary pallbearers were Joanie Sheps and Heather Pullan.
Doreen was born in Leeds, England, on September 28, 1922, and had a very happy childhood, describing herself as a tomboy and a show-off. She was no slouch academically, though, and won a scholarship to the prestigious Roundhay School for Girls, which was a great source of pride for her and her family. Doreen’s father was a tailor and was able to save money by making her school uniforms himself, which she wore with pride. As Doreen would often say as she shared her fond memories from her schooldays, “that school changed my life”. At 100 years old, she could still recite poetry she had learned in school, and if you spoke to her in French, she would proudly respond en français. And, importantly, it was there she learned to swim, earning many awards.
At the age of 19, inspired by the words of Winston Churchill (she could still dramatically recite most of his speech), Doreen enlisted in the Royal Air Force. She was very proud of her service and remembered it fondly; it taught her discipline and responsibility and felt like being ‘back at school’. She was on the RAF Halton swim team, competing with other stations. The RAF was also where she was introduced to acting when the division padre informed her that she had been cast in a play: “The rest is history”.
Doreen met Canadian Billy Brownstone during the war, married him in 1945 and immigrated to Winnipeg in 1946 where their three children were born. In Winnipeg, she joined the YMHA (Theatre) Players and was active in other amateur theatre groups where she first encountered John Hirsch as both drama teacher and director (as Doreen said, “He was our Theatre School”).
In 1957, when Hirsch and Tom Hendry founded the semi-professional Theatre 77, they included Doreen in the company. In 1958, Theatre 77 merged with Winnipeg Little Theatre, with Hirsch as artistic director and Hendry as business manager, to become the Manitoba Theatre Centre. Hirsch cast Doreen in MTC’s first professional production—A Hatful of Rain opposite Canadian actor Gordon Pinsent—and thus began her 60-year career as a professional actor, working for every professional theatre company in the city and for many across the country. She acted in over 100 plays, including a touring production of Driving Miss Daisy at the age of 83, the role of Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof seven (or was it nine?!) times, the last one a Yiddish production at the age of 89, and in Vigil at Prairie Theatre Exchange in 2013 at the age of 92 where she shamelessly showed off her agility by energetically doing toe touches on stage. The oldest working actor in Canada, she continued to do play readings and some film work. At 95, she appeared in the television series Channel Zero with actor Rutger Hauer.
Alongside her illustrious acting career, Doreen was also the beloved “Mrs. Brownstone, my swimming teacher”. Doreen maintained a forty-year career as a swimming instructor, teaching two and three generations of families to swim. She was known as Doreen, the actor, and Mrs. Brownstone, the swimming teacher to her legions of fans from both careers. It was impossible to go on an outing with Doreen and not get stopped a good many times by audience members who wanted to tell her how much they enjoyed a particular performance or by generations of kids who proudly recall her teaching them to swim.
Doreen always expressed how extremely lucky and blessed she was to do the two things she absolutely loved: acting and swimming. Doreen’s passion and vitality on stage and at the pool were a testament to her amazing dedication and creativity. She attributed her lifelong fitness to her years of swimming, and the mental sharpness she maintained up to the age of 100 years to her acting.
Doreen connected with so many and forged lifelong bonds with friends in her Pan card game group, her Taylor Avenue friends, swimming teachers and students alike, and her doting “theatre family”. In later years, these friends and her new Shaftesbury friends would meet at Doreen’s celebrated coffee klatch gatherings on Friday afternoons in the Shaftesbury Coffee Bistro. In winter, many of us came proudly wearing the colourful knitted hats she had made for us. She would hold court, looking classy with one of her signature pashminas draped over her shoulders.
Doreen always supported her fellow artists in times of joy and was there with a sympathetic ear and loving hugs in difficult times. She was a faithful friend and colleague and always made a point of seeing others’ work, taking special pleasure in their accomplishments.
Doreen was awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from ACTRA, The Canadian Actor’s Equity Association, the Winnipeg Arts Council, and the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. In 2017 she was awarded the Order of Manitoba. She really got a kick out of seeing the letters O.M. after her name! She also received the Nellie McClung Foundation Trailblazer Award in 2021.
Doreen felt each day she was given was a gift. Her faith was a comfort and helped her through her many challenges in life. Doreen’s exuberance, chutzpah, joie de vivre, determination, generosity, and love fuelled and filled her long rich life. She is held in unparalleled esteem by all who knew her.
Doreen Brownstone, the Grande Dame of Winnipeg Theatre, has taken her final curtain call but will continue to be an inspiration to us all.
Doreen’s “theatre family” would like to thank the staff at Shaftesbury Park and at the Riverview Palliative Care Unit for their care and kindness, the Kenaston Superstore Pharmacy team, and a special thanks to her GP Dr. Kristen Creek for her exemplary, attentive care. Thanks also to all the friends and relatives, young and old, who spent time with Doreen. Their love, friendship and conversation meant the world to Our Doreen. Finally, thank you to our extended “theatre family”. There were so many of us who could be called upon to take Doreen to appointments, sit with her during a hospital stay, or just visit, who could be counted on in times of need, or pull together to fête Doreen, decorating the room in her favourite colours of pink and purple, the last time on September 28 for her 100th birthday. It takes a village and we have been so lucky to have ours. Special thanks to Stefanie Wiens and Angus Kohm for going above and beyond, taking care of many of Doreen’s needs. Stefanie’s medical knowledge and caregiving meant that everyone could rest easy knowing she was in capable and loving hands.
“In mind a constant thought, in heart a silent tear.”
Donations in Doreen Brownstone’s memory may be made to Jewish Child and Family Services,
The Actors Fund of Canada, or a charity of your choice.
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.
Obituaries
BARBARA CONSTANCE SLUTCHUK (née Stratton) MAY 9, 1941 – MARCH 3, 2026
Barbara Constance Slutchuk passed away peacefully. She was born on May 9, 1941, in Carmen, Manitoba to Lena Galbraith and Arthur Stratton.
Barbara was the beloved wife of George Slutchuk, whom she married on March 28, 1971. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Rishona Hyman (Hartley Hyman) and Dama Slutchuk (Tom Aldridge), and by her cherished grandchildren, Gregory and Izzie Hyman. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents; her second mother, Lyla “Winnie” Stratton; her sisters Mary Beighton (Ted) and Patricia Morton (Robert); and her brothers Keith Stratton, Grant Stratton, John Stratton, Bryan Smith (Eleanor), Lyle Smith, and David (Gail).
Barbara was a trailblazer in nursing. Over her long and dedicated career she managed an emergency department at St. Boniface Hospital, later oversaw the operating room at Seven Oaks Hospital. Eventually moved into Human Resources at Misericordia Hospital.
She had a deep passion for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and attended many games, events, and Grey Cups over the years. Barbara was an avid reader and bridge player. A proud Canadian, she loved football, hockey, curling, figure skating, the theatre, Rainbow Stage, rural Manitoba, and tending to her flower garden. She loved seeing the first robin and geese of the season.
Barbara had a special love for animals, both her own and those belonging to others. She rescued animals and people alike, always making room in both her home and her heart.
Barbara was a natural leader, a volunteer, and an organizer. Above all, her most important role was as a devoted mother and grandmother.
The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate and loving care provided by
Veronica and Lenora, as well as all of Barbara’s caregivers over the years.
A funeral service was held on March 5, 2026, at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue.
Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice, Jewish Child and Family Service, or the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Obituaries
WILLIAM (BILL) MARANTZ SEPTEMBER 14, 1935 – NOVEMBER 15, 2025
Sadly, just after his 90th birthday, celebrated with four generations, Zaida Velvel passed away at Deer Lodge Centre following a brief illness.
He grew up in the storied North End mostly on Scotia Street, and it was there at Luxton School and St. John’s Tech that he made many of his lifelong friends.
But the shining star of his life was his beautiful Brenda, his loving wife and soulmate of over 65 years, who passed away in 2023. He was also pre-deceased by his parents Sophie and Frank, his brothers and sisters-in-law Cyril and Irene, Gary and Shirley-Anne, and his daughters-inlaw Andrea and Ruth.
He is survived by his children Josh, Ari (daughter-in-law Ilana), Allan (Jackie) and David; grandchildren Sarah (Chris), Noah (Nahla), Jesse (Lauren), Evan (Maddy), Dan (Tracy), Lauren (Kyle), Tamara (Robin), Ali (Wyatt), Neil; and great-grandchildren, Jack, Isaac, Sadie, Jack, Brandon and London; and nieces, nephews and cousins..
Bill graduated with his law degree from the University of Manitoba in 1960 and after articling, went into private practice.
Bill was a supportive and loving father who always came to watch the boys’ games and helped coach when needed. He and Brenda never tired of watching their sons play sports.
Bill’s eclectic career included time as a lawyer, part-time provincial court judge, movie critic, screenwriter, autobiographer, actor, Jewish Post columnist and novelist.
His most successful writing efforts were radio or screenplays, several of which were produced by CBC, and his self-published novel Christmas Eve Can Kill You.
After early retirement, he continued to write from home, the cottage and Palm Springs where he and Brenda drove to each winter for about 40 years.
Out of all his writing efforts, Bill was most proud of writing the memoir of a local Holocaust survivor.
He had another accomplishment for which he was also extremely proud. Just over three decades ago, Ari and Bill bought an old cottage at Winnipeg Beach and completely rebuilt it. This would become the new family summer home. He and Brenda lovedspending summers out at the beach with family.
For their 50th anniversary, it meant the world to them that all their sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren came in to celebrate at the cottage.
Winnipeg Beach was enjoyed for many, many summers until Brenda could no longer climb the front steps, shortly before becoming housebound. Bill took outstanding care of her as her health declined.
Bill was able to live independently and was driving until just a couple months before his passing. He loved spending time with family at dinners and Jewish holiday celebrations and adored his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren,especially.
He was buried next to his beloved Brenda at Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, the Temple Shalom cemetery, with son Allan officiating and grandchildren Noah, Jesse, Evan, Dan, Tamara and Neil serving as pallbearers.
If so desired, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Camp Massad of Manitoba.