Obituaries
EDNA JOYCE GUNN
Feb. 9, 1940 –June 28, 2017
The family of Edna Joyce Gunn is saddened to announce that she passed away peacefully on June 28, 2017 with her husband and children at her side,
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jerry, her son Arthur(Rhonda) of Northbrook, IL, her daughter Dr. Annilea Gunn (Carol) of Tampa, FL, her granddaughter Melanie (Anthony) and grandson Eric, both of St. Louis, MO. She was the daughter of Abe and Bessie Silverman of Winnipeg, both of whom predeceased her. Edna was a graduate of St. Johns High School, the University of Manitoba and in the first graduating class of the University of Winnipeg. She taught in the
Winnipeg School District until the birth of her children, and in later years taught as a volunteer at the St. Amant Centre until illness caused her to stop. She was a proud supporter of her husband in the Masonic Fraternity and was an active member of The Daughters of The Nile and the Khartum Ladies Auxiliary until
her death.
She was known as Mom to her daughter’s friends in Florida, when she visited yearly. She was called Hurricane Edna as she stormed into Tampa and became the centre piece of the activities during her stay. She adored her grandpup Natasha, who stuck by her side whenever she saw her. During her visits to Arthur and Rhonda in Northbrook, their pup Jackson as well became attached to her. She loved spending Passover with Arthur and Rhonda and was welcomed at Rhonda’s family seders. She commented oseveral times how much she enjoyed the seders and how they brought her back to her youth.
Children and dogs went to her without hesitation; it was an mutual love affair at first sight. She was Baba to her beloved grandchildren and doted on them as only a Jewish Baba could. Her love was reciprocated by them in many ways.
Edna loved to travel and travelled throughout Canada and the States with her husband or by herself when she visited the children during the winter months to get away from the cold. She was a supporter of numerous charities and donated generously to support them. Her biggest disappointment was that she could not donate her time as she once did, due to her debilitating illness.
Her love and devotion to her parents, her husband, children and grandchildren and family generally was unconditional and was evident throughout her life. As her life came to an end, the love and devotion of her family and friends to her was visibly apparent. She indeed was a wife, mother and grandmother of excellence and will be remembered as such.
Funeral services were held at the Chesed Shel Emes Chapel with internment in the Shaarey Zedek Cemettery. The family is grateful to and thanks Rabbi Yosef Benarrroch of Herzlia-Adas Yeshurun for attending to our beloved Edna in her final moments and in conducting her funeral service.
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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