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
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.