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Obituaries

DR. SIDNEY L. NELKO April 19, 1931 – August 5, 2022

Nelko Sid edited 2Devoted husband, loving father, distinguished family practitioner/surgeon, and one of the founding doctors of Seven Oaks General Hospital, passed away in Winnipeg at the age of 91 on August 5, 2022.

He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Gwen in 2020. He is survived by his children, Marni (Nelko) Altman of Vancouver, B.C, and Trevor (Rachelle) Nelko of Plymouth, Minnesota. His grandchildren, Ashton Altman, Tristan and Dylan Nelko. He is also survived by his sister, Claire Granovsky (Breslaw) & Paul Granovsky. He was predeceased by his brothers, Max and Ernie Nelko, and sister, Sonia Yaffe.
Sid was born in Winnipeg on April 19, 1931, after his parents immigrated from Poland in 1927. He attended St. Johns HS and graduated from the University of Manitoba Medical School in 1957. His medical residency in Family Practice was completed in Norristown, Pennsylvania and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He returned to Winnipeg and opened his Family Practice in 1960, that served generations of families until 2005. He also served as a Major in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Militia Medical field. His medical journey also involved the City of Winnipeg’s Health Department, where he attended to police officers and firefighters. He also worked for the Government of Canada as an immigration and medical officer, the Workers Compensation Board, and Provincial Medical Examiner. He finished his medical career working two days a week at a walk-in clinic at age 82.
Sid established himself as a leading family practitioner who was as devoted to his patients as they were to him. Early in his practice, he added a Mickey Mouse pin to his lab coat, which was comforting to his young patients. He was an attentive listener and thoughtful in his responses. He was always impeccably attired as a physician in his suit and tie. He was a lifetime member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and always attended the annual convention with Gwen to further his medical education. He was known as having “surgeon’s hands” in giving vaccinations, as he would distract his patients with conversation, and often they did not know he completed his task. He was blessed to find his calling as a MD and was always available to patients and friends.
While much of his life was defined by his professional excellence and dedication to his patients, it was the final chapter that revealed the full measure of his compassion. Sid devoted the last years of Gwen’s life caring for her as a loyal husband, until her death in 2020. He and Gwen travelled extensively in their marriage and valued their experiences together. Their relationship was strong and enduring in their 59 years of marriage.
Sid had a wonderful sense of humour that was evident in his many funny voices and his spontaneous singing. He had a brilliant mind that prompted him to read many medical journals and books and was exceptional at Trivial Pursuit. He loved to walk and ride his bike in his neighborhood, attend the symphony and theater centre, and work in his yard.
A private service was held, and memorial donations may be made in Sid’s memory to: Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation, 2300 McPhillips St, Winnipeg, MB, R2V 3M3 (204) 632-3552 or a charity of your choice.

 

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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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