Obituaries
DR. MORRIS E. BURKE
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Morris Edwin Burke M.D. husband, father and grandfather, on February 17, 2018 at the Vancouver General Hospital.
In his 90th year, he passed peacefully after a short illness, in the arms of his loving family. He is buried at the Beth Israel Cemetery in Vancouver, BC.
A much loved and respected physician, artist, teacher, friend and colleague, Morris, or ‘Maishe’ as he was known to his family and friends, was born in Winnipeg Manitoba on November 14, 1927 to Max and Sarah Burke, the youngest of three sons.
He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Matt and Benge. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, children David, (Sharlynne), Joel, Baillie and Jeff, grandchildren Connor, Sarah, Ava and Kiera, brothers-in-law Morley Shatsky, (Charlene) and Meyer Thompson, sisters-in-law Belle Burke (Toronto) and Lillian Burke (Winnipeg), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Morris attended St. John’s Tech High School and was Valedictorian in his last year. He applied and was accepted to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba despite a strict quota at the time for Jewish students. He was awarded the Lt. Frank Rich Memorial Scholarship after his first year of internship and in 1951 he graduated Medicine as one of the youngest in a large class of graduates. Morris then married his long time love Eleanor Shatsky, whom he had met at the age of 16. He took the position as Doctor in the town of Erikson MB, followed by a move to Norway House at the top of Lake Winnipeg, working for the, Department of Indian Affairs. There, he wrote a dictionary in the Cree language with the help of the Cree First Nation locals to better communicate their illnesses and document their medical histories. Morris acted as Surgeon, Obstetrician and Dentist, and was greatly respected for his compassion and tireless care as he flew to nursing stations at Cross Lake and Island Lake. After, the couple moved to Wappella, SK where they lived for the next three years and then back to Winnipeg to rejoin their extended families and welcome their sons David, Joel and daughter Baillie.
Morris opened his office in East Kildonan on Watt Street where he practiced for 40 years, meanwhile becoming Medical Director of Tuxedo Villa and Beacon Hill Nursing Homes. Among his many accomplishments, he was commended by the Mayo Clinic for his diagnostic abilities and was acknowledged by his peers for using the practice of hypnosis to help his patients overcome disabilities. He was Secretary for the Board of the Canadian Hypnosis Society for several years.
Eventually he closed his office and joined the Eaton Place Medical Centre until his retirement in 2015. To quote his patients who often brought him second and third generations, Morris was a ‘gentle, patient, articulate, empathetic and thorough doctor’. He was loved by everyone who knew him and for whom he always had a kind word.
After being in practice for 64 years, Morris and Eleanor moved to Vancouver BC to join their children and grandchildren. They would have celebrated their 67th Anniversary July 1, 2018. An epitaph Morris wrote on his parent’s headstone is equally fitting to his own; ’Golden Hearts & Hands at Rest.’ We will love and miss him forever.
A donation in Morris’ name to Mazon Canada (1.416.783.7554) or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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