Obituaries
DORIS STEIMAN
On May 4, 2022, Hashem softly, and with love, carried our mother, Doris Steiman, to her eternal home. She was predeceased by her husband Meyer Keppy Steiman in 2012, her mother and father: Lily and Mandel Minuk, brothers: Bill, Julius, and Sam Minuk, sister: Ruth Racklin and grandson: Mark Steiman.
Doris was a loving and proud mother, Babi and grand-Babi to her children: Karen (Ivan) Brodsky, Gerry (Sandi) Steiman and David (Sheila) Steiman, her grandchildren: Adam (Valerie) Brodsky, Matthew Brodsky, Josh (Jennifer) Steiman, Jennifer (Sam) Banayan, Michelle (Jordan) Edelman, and Cheryl (fiance Lisa Price) Steiman, and her great grandchildren: Lauren, Eden, Shai and Sol Brodsky; Marissa, Rachel and Samantha Steiman; Abigail, Layla and Jack Banayan; and Penelope and Robert Edelman. She was an amazing, wife, mother, mother-in-law, Babi and grand Babi
Mom grew up on Aberdeen Street and attended Peretz School, where she was the class valedictorian. After graduating from St. John’s High School, she worked at Minuk’s Department Store on Dufferin. During this time, she was courted by my dad who would bicycle to see her bearing gifts of marshmallow puffs. Mom and dad were married on March 22, 1942, at the Hebrew Friends Temple in Winnipeg. They resided on Kennedy Street where Karen was born. A few years later, they moved to Scotia Street in the North End where their two sons, Gerry and David were born. Mom and Dad were a loving and caring twosome for some 70 years.
Mom was a passionately devoted mother who considering herself fortunate to always be home when her children arrived from school. Education and academic excellence were uppermost in her mind. After her children were all grown and independent, mom did a stint selling furniture, helping out our dad at the Hargrave furniture store.
Judaism played an important role in our home. Mom set a lavish Shabbat table with food and finery. As an active participant at Rosh Pina, she was involved in Women’s League, theater groups, and fashion shows. She was also active in B’nai Brith and ORT.
Mom excelled in the kitchen; every meal was deliciously prepared and served. In addition to regular cooking, her fancy desserts and tortes were legendary. Her cherry flips and carnation rolls were the best! Entertaining gave mom much pleasure. She was a gracious hostess whether it was welcoming friends to Scotia, Tuxedo, Loni Beach, or winters in Palm Springs. Our mother and father appreciated and loved beautiful traditional and antique furnishings. This appreciation has been passed down to her children and grandchildren.
For almost 60 years, Mom spent her summers in Loni Beach. She would hold down the fort while dad worked and drove to Winnipeg daily. Having her children and grandchildren visit was most exciting for our mother. In anticipation, she would fill two large freezers with her wonderful cooking and scrumptious baking, making sure everyone’s favorites were represented. Her children and grandchildren were fortunate to spend many summers at Loni Beach – swimming, building forts, painting, and playing badminton.
Mom was an Eshet Chayil as well as a Yiddishe Momma, the matriarch of our Minuk clan and of our personal Steiman family. As with the biblical matriarchs, she will be lovingly remembered for her strength, determination, clarity of thought, and fierce love of family. We all learned many important lessons from her and for this we will always be grateful. Mom, we will forever miss you. Our abundant memories of your enduring love comfort us.
Our family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care and support given to our mother during her several years at the Simkin Centre. Donations in Doris Steiman’s honor may be made to the Keppy and Doris Steiman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Congregation Etz Chayim, the Saul and Claribel Simpkin Centre, or charity of choice.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.