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Obituaries

Dr. ASHER BARRY NORMAN THOMPSON

Thomsen Asher edited 1The family of Dr. Asher Thompson is heartbroken to announce his peaceful passing at the age of 84 on December 9, 2020 at Northridge Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.  Asher was cherished by many and will be deeply missed. 

He was the husband of 26 years to Cathy Roland Thompson, with whom he enjoyed a life rich with family, friends, and community.  Asher was a loving and devoted father to Michael (Margaret Wong), Shelly (Blake Larkin), Karen (Nir Shema) and Marcie, and a loving, devoted step-father to Rabbi David Kornberg (Debbie) and Lisa Kahn.  Together with Cathy, Asher treasured and enjoyed 14 grandchildren who will miss him dearly: Ella and Jonah Thompson, Zachary, Tanner and Zoe Larkin, Kinneret, Carmel and Arava Shema, Melanie, Lorelle and Dory Grynholc, Michael and Rachel Kornberg and Ethan Kahn. Asher was predeceased by his beloved parents, Tannie and Joe Thompson and his sister Doreen. Asher remained close throughout his life to his sister Myra Robles (Carolyn Robinson), and is mourned by his cousins, nieces and nephews.  Asher will also be missed by the extended Niznick family.
Asher was born on October 13, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up amongst dear friends in Winnipeg, with whom he remained close throughout his life.  After graduating from the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1960, he was married to Sharon Niznick (Glass), and moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he took three years of training in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.  After Henry Ford hospital, he went to Salt Lake City with a National Institute of Health grant in their gastroenterology department, before returning to Winnipeg to begin his medical practice.  In 1970, Asher moved to Los Angeles, where he built his medical practice, with a specialty in gastroenter-ology. Asher profoundly loved practicing medicine – it was not a job for him, it was a passion, a Sherlock Holms-ian mystery to be solved, and an identity. He was a caring and brilliant physician, and he was devoted to his patients, who recognized him not only for his medical services but for the way he took care of them with sensitivity and warmth;  he considered himself an old-fashioned doctor. 
After moving to California, Asher raised his family, and cultivated a circle of dear friends that he loved very much, some from his youth in Winnipeg, and others through his synagogue, golf club or medical practice.  Asher was known, loved and admired for his warmth, intelligence, compassion and ability to spin a good story.  He always encouraged  his children and grandchildren to pursue their passions, whether academic, professional, creative, athletic or musical, and always tried to attend and show his support at their games, plays, performances, graduations and other live events. He shared with them his passion for studying history, travel, books, golf, theatre, photography, food, a well-told story and spending time together. He also shared his love for Jewish religion, traditions, art and food.   He enjoyed dining with and entertaining his family and friends, and was known for his generosity.  He was a lifelong golfer, and enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Los Angeles Kings, play ice hockey. An avid history buff and traveler, he ventured around the world, including Israel, Australia, England, Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia.
Asher will be remembered for the unlimited and unconditional love and support he had for Cathy, his children and grandchildren, extended family and his many dear friends.  He will be deeply missed, but in our grief, we find gratitude for our immense good fortune having had Dr. Asher Barry Norman Thompson in our lives.

 

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Obituaries

Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025

Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.

Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.

Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.  

In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program. 

Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.

The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.

A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg.  Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.

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Obituaries

DR. ARTHUR G. HERSCOVITCH

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arthur Herscovitch on February 3, 2025, at the age of 77.

Arthur will be remembered by his wife Linda, daughter Rennie (Mark), granddaughters, Anna and Miriam, sister Judy (Mel), brother Robert (Lynda), brother Martin (Rose), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arthur started his long career as a clinical psychologist in Winkler, Manitoba. A year later he moved back to Winnipeg, where he spent 36 years working at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, where he helped thousands of patients through very difficult times.

Arthur and Linda loved to travel and visited places such as China, Turkey, Morocco and many countries in Europe, and they went on road trips all over North America. Arthur was a very creative man who enjoyed woodworking and sketching, and he loved to engage in physical activities such as jogging and weightlifting. Above all else, Arthur cherished his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Simkin Centre for your care of Arthur. Your patience, compassion and understanding are greatly appreciated.

A funeral service was held in Arthur’s honour at the Chesed Shel Emes on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

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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.

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