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
RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.
Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.
She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.
Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.
She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.
Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.
Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.
The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.
Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic
Obituaries
ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.
Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard. The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.
He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.
Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg. He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.
Isaac was a survivor. He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation. He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.
After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally. He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates. His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation. He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten. He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.
At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies. At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.
Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many. He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke. He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital. He was a very intelligent, self-educated man. He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.
Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.
In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. It will also be live streamed. Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.
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