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
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.