Obituaries
DR. SARAH ELLEN KREDENTSER (nee FINKELSTEIN)
Dr. Sarah Kredentser died peacefully surrounded by her family on July 27, 2024. Sarah was born in Regina, the youngest of three children to Dr. Mitchell Finkelstein and Mrs. Charlotte (Babe) Finkelstein (nee Shnier). She was a beloved Mother to Maia (Zach) and Mitchell (Rachelle), Baba to Sybil and Lev, partner to David Lowen,and sister to Naomi. She is predeceased by her brother David and her parents. After earning a degree in journalism, she ultimately followed in her father’s footsteps to become a family physician. She was a dedicated, passionate, and caring doctor, who was adored by her patients. Throughout her career she had many teaching and leadership roles, including as the Site Director for Low Risk Obstetrics at St. Boniface Hospital, Medical Director of the Family Medicine Obstetrics Network, Primary Care Obstetrics Lead for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Medical Director of the Community Birth Program, President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, and President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, to name just a few. She was passionate about providing obstetrical care for her patients and led the development of the Enhanced Skills Obstetrics Program for Family Medicine Residents in 2014. Most recently, she worked out of Kildonan Medical Centre as a preceptor for Family Medicine Residents. She was a beloved and well-respected preceptor, known as tough but fair, who strived to impart a standard of excellence for patient care in the art and science of Family Medicine. In recognition of her contributions to the profession, she was awarded Family Physician of the Year by the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1996. In the later years of her career, she cut back on her working hours in order to focus on being ‘Baba Yaya’ to her beloved Sybil and Lev. She was a devoted Baba, ever-present in their lives, from their birth, to overnight care, to pickups, drop-offs, babysitting, and sleepovers. She had an epic craft room, dedicated to fun and creativity for herself and the grandkids, and always had a new craft or activity to do with Sybil and Lev each time she saw them. A true renaissance woman—leader in her profession, mentor, artist, seamstress, face painter, chef, jam and pie maker, gardener, reader, the generous and inspiring host of gatherings for family and friends. She loved to travel, enjoying trips with her young family and with her partner David, enlivened by diverse cultures as well as the chance to connect with relatives living elsewhere. Sarah was also a die-hard fan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with longstanding season tickets and travel to several Grey Cups and Labour Day Classics. Sarah received exceptional medical care and we are eternally grateful to Dr. Joanna Webb and Dr. Tunji Fatoye, Dr. James Paul and nurse Jen at CCMB, Dr. Larry Tan, Dr. Ben Prasad; Drs. Kim, Chowdury, Sockolies, and Peterson; and the phenomenal team in Palliative Care at St. Boniface Hospital, including Drs. Loiselle, Audu, Butterworth, McConnell; nurses Nicole, Neil, Shericka, Allyson, Joya, Roberta, Maria; and health care aides Q, Jody, and Genet, and all others who helped make Sarah’s last weeks and days comfortable and dignified. Dr. Sarah Kredentser, mom, Baba Yaya, was an exceptional human being. Skilled in all things personal and professional, Sarah was brilliant, beautiful, kind, and loving. In her 70 years on this earth, Sarah significantly enriched our lives. She was the absolute best version of herself. Let us honour her memory by being the best version of ourselves, the version that Sarah saw in all of us. The funeral and burial were on July 29, 2024 and a recording of the funeral can be found at the following link by clicking playing and selecting previous broadcasts: https://chesedshelemes.org/funerals-and-records/livestream-funerals/. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine with the College of Family Physicians of Canada https://fafm.cfpc.ca/why-give/ways-to-give/.
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.