Obituaries
EDWARD HARRY LAZAR March 27, 1924 – December 11, 2021
We lost a very special member of our family on December 11, 2021 when Edward Harry Lazar passed away at the age of 97.
He is fondly remembered by his daughters Sharon Batshaw (and her children Leor, Doron, Paul, and Yardena) and Rosalie Lazar, (husband Irwin Corobow and son Jonathan), and his great grandchildren, Davi, Asher, Emerson, and Ellyson and his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary (Olin), his parents Louis and Gertie Lazar, his son in law, Bernie Batshaw, and his siblings Sam Lazar, Hilda Stern, Ronnie Lazar and Lloyd Lazar.
Ed grew up on the family farm in Bird’s Hill, Manitoba. the 1st generation of his family to be born in Canada. He grew up at a time that was so much harder- no running water, central heat or electricity. His parents Gertie and Louis Lazar and his grandparents Rachel and Nathan Lazar and Moshe and Sarah Daiter all immigrated to Manitoba from Eastern Europe and became pioneer farmers.
He grew up loved by these people absorbing so much of who they were-a brave generation of immigrants working hard to make a good life for their family in new country.
His work ethic was so strong- it started in his childhood- milking cows daily on the family farm before walking 2 and ½ miles to his elementary school classes in Springfield.
It continued throughout his school years – taking on more farm work- watering and herding cattle, planting, harvesting and thrashing.
As a young teenager he would ride his bike from Birds Hill to Winnipeg with his brother Sam to work unloading boxcars of coal for a few dollars and by age 15 he had a steady job at the Transcona cordite factory working long hours at a dangerous job mixing explosives for the war effort. His work continued at age 16 when he travelled to Prince Rupert B.C. to work as a riveter at the CN ship yards, sending every dollar he earned home for the rebuilding of his family’s burned-out farm house. When he graduated high school, he immediately volunteered with the Canadian Armed Forces and sailed twice back and forth across the dangerous North Atlantic where there was always a risk of u boat attacks. He returned to Canada to guard prisoners of war in North Western Ontario and then volunteered and trained for the war in the Pacific. After the war he travelled to work for the Yukon Gold Corporation, running a power plant to fuel gold dredging on the Klondike River. He returned to Manitoba 3 years later and farmed in Spingfield on land adjacent to his parents farm. He then worked as an independent trucker and followed that as the long-time owner of Variety Fruit Grocery Store on Main Street.
He valued his Jewish roots, celebrating the holidays with us, attending services, and was a frequent visitor, financial supporter and volunteer at the Simkin Center. In his later years he attended the Simkin Centre Adult Day Program and valued the friendships he forged with the staff (Heather) and volunteers (Brenda). He carried with him the lessons he learned from his parents and grandparents- he spoke and understood Yiddish, and enjoyed using the best humorous Yiddish expressions always with a twinkle in his eye.
He valued family-he was there for his parents especially so as they aged. He enjoyed his siblings and their spouses and interacting with his many nieces and nephews and their children. As the health of his siblings failed, he was determined to be a regular visitor trying to brighten their days. He was the last survivor of his siblings and our mother’s siblings and missed them all so much- determined to keep their memories alive with stories.
He was simply a very happy person. Almost every time we would get together with my dad, right up until he passed away, he would amaze us with the clarity of his thoughts and memories from every chapter of his life. His childhood and farm years, his youth, his war years, his work life in the north and here in Winnipeg, and his retirement years. He was a master chronicler and story teller.
In his later years, indeed right up to this summer, you could find Ed sitting on his scooter down at the lake near his house in Lindenwoods, watching the birds on the lake, and he knew what each one was. He loved nature and being outside to see it made him
very happy.
We would like to thank his companions Trina and Linda who enriched his life when he became housebound as well as the WRHA Home Care Program for their support of Ed as his health failed. A thank you as well to Dr. Goldberg of the Fort Garry Access Centre who cared for him as his primary care physician.
The pallbearers for Ed were his grandchildren, Leor, Paul, Yardena, Jonathan and his nephews Matthew and Gary Lazar. We would like to thank Rabbi Kliel Rose of the Etz Chaim Synagogue for officiating at the funeral and his kind words of comfort to the family.
If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Simkin Centre Personal Care Home or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BRENLEE WERNER
Brenlee was born on August 30, 1935 and died December 11, 2024.
Brenlee, so named as family legend has it, because her mother, Sarah Brotman wanted Brenda and her father, Ernest Brotman, wanted Leah, and so the original Brenlee was born. She grew up at 55 Bannerman the oldest of three extraordinary daughters including Caroline and Bonnie the youngest. Brenlee, the beautiful and talented 17-year-old, was spotted by a dashing neighbour, the handsome Nate Werner, and a lifelong love story was born. He said “I’m going to marry that girl” when spotted walking with her father. And he did.
She enrolled in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, in Interior Design and was crowned university Freshie Queen at a gala event. She was renowned for her beauty and style. When she moved to New York where Nate had his ophthalmology residency, she completed her design degree at the Pratt Institute.
Brenlee and Nate travelled the world together, well before such journeys were popular; to Japan, to Europe and to Israel after the six-day war. So began their dedication to Israel, and her drive to move her family there for a sabbatical year in 1972. They were constant companions, on winter vacations in Palm Springs and in the summer at Falcon Lake.
Brenlee was a determined feminist who always worked outside the home at a time when this was not the norm. She had a passion for business. She became a Real Estate Broker and Developer. It was her Highgate Project where she was really a trailblazer: the first in Winnipeg to renovate a heritage building into condos. She also developed Banbury Court, Crescent Court and Bonaventure Village. She was a consummate professional respected by contractors, engineers and the architects with whom she worked. She was the property manager of the Western Canada Lottery Building for 25 years where she was a tough lease negotiator, dedicated to her tenants’ concerns.
Brenlee had a great zest for life: she was a healthy lifestyle personified. Some days she could hardly be seen behind the piles of newspapers, New Yorker magazines, the Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She loved intellectual pursuits, and was an avid reader. She was intelligent and kind.
She was very proud of her daughters, Janet and Shelley, and supported them both in their careers. Shelley, also an interior designer shared an office with her for many years which allowed them to collaborate easily on business projects. She supported Janet’s pursuit of fine art and helped facilitate her years of education in Baltimore and at Yale. She took great pleasure in giving visitors a tour of her apartment, showing her mother’s and Janet’s paintings and books.
With her grandsons, her playful spirit came out, whether baking with Lewis or dancing in the kitchen with Jonah she had the gift of being really present when she was with you. She saw you and knew just what you needed from her. She had more energy than all of us combined. She was a bright shining star, our touchstone, and the heart of our family.
She will be forever missed by daughters Janet and partner Adrian Norvid, Shelley and husband Michael Draycott, grandsons Lewis Robinovitch and wife Robyn Cambruzzi, Jonah Simmonds and great-grandson Zev Robinovitch.
The funeral was held Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Chesed Shel Emes. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and gave a fitting tribute to Brenlee.
The family gives thanks to Brenlee’s caregivers for their love and for making her a part of their families: Lhyn Vinan, Melisa Caluza, Ellen May Bautista, Edna Maula and Leo Policarpio. Special thanks to Isabel Vieira who worked with her for over 20 years.
Donations may be made in Brenlee’s honour to JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Services) 204-477-7430.
Obituaries
RIVA-LEE MCWILLIAM
It is with broken hearts we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Wife and Baba, Riva Lee McWilliam (Rudelier), suddenly, after a difficult year of health challenges. Survived by her loving husband, Scott, her absolute other half, high school sweethearts of 56 years, and married 47 years, and her three daughters, Beth Jacob (Jonathan), Rachel and Megan, and grandsons Kiva and Shale Jacob. She is also survived by her sister Rashi (Harold) and brother Nelson as well as nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews plus the extended McWilliam family and her adoring crew of close girlfriends. As a young woman, Riva lost her own mother and father Ray and Meyer Rudelier, too soon.
Riva was born February 3, 1954. She would tell you she was “born in St Boniface” but really, she came from the North End of Winnipeg. The baby of her family, and the apple of her dad’s eye. During her childhood, her family migrated south to Montrose Street. She attended Herzlia for a year before Montrose School and Grant Park. In those years, that crew of close girlfriends established and grew tight-knit and remained that way all her life. In 1968 Scott moved in across the street. Riva was a beautiful hippy with the most beautiful hair, and so she naturally caught his attention- the actual boy next door. He waved at her through the window, and the rest is history.
She went to university and earned a degree in social work, followed by a brief career in the field before she married Scott and had their first daughter, Beth, followed by Rachel. From the time she became a mother, her daughters were the permanent centres of her universe. She made Beth and Rachel the happiest sisters ever when she gave birth to a giant bundle of joy, Megan. She drove a million carpools, took daughters to million lessons, asked a million questions, ran a million errands, and made a million meals. She took us out for a million ice cream cones in the summer, and a million more beach days to escape the city heat. She was the ultimate caretaker, Riva’s absolute purpose in this life was to be a mother to all those she loved.
Scott and Riva opened a store together in the early aughts, an exciting venture to take as a couple, albeit short-lived. She went back to work at Canadian Footwear and worked faithfully there in the Foot Health Centre for over 20 years.
She stood by her beshert- her intended- Scott though thick and thin. Riva was an unshakeable matriarch. Steadfast in her devotion to support her family through sickness and health, richer and poorer, better or worse. She weathered every storm with an impossible strength. Later in life, she reached out to offer support and understanding to other families struggling through many of the same challenges we’ve faced. She rooted her family in a foundation of profound love and commitment, and we honour her by putting those values first in everything.
In Riva’s memory we ask that any donations be directed to Jewish Child and Family Services, earmarked for addictions and mental health support, or to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, that brought Kuma into her life.
“To love another person
is to see the face of god.”
This is the kind of love that Mom, in her way, gave tirelessly to her world.
Obituaries
SID SCHWARTZMAN
We lost our dear father and grandfather on Thursday December 19, 2024. Sid passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side. Born on July 31, 1930, in Winnipeg, Sid was the son of Luis and Anne Schwartzman and brother to Herb Schwartzman. Sid lived a long and fulfilling life, devoted to his family, friends, and community.
He leaves to mourn, his children, Lisa (Joel) and Neil (Gina), and Grandsons, Noah and Eli, plus his many friends.
Sid was blessed with an outgoing personality, and he exuded spirit, humor, loyalty, and honesty. Sid had a great passion for delicatessens. He loved a corned beef sandwich, party sandwiches, a butter tart, and a “nice fruit cup.” He was the first to take you to a hole in the wall for a great burger or hot dog. Then top it all off with an ice cream cone from McDonalds.
Sid graduated from St. Johns high school and subsequently started a career in sales. Sid spent 30 years as a sales manager for Richlu manufacturing. Sid loved working and was very lucky to find meaning and purpose there. Sid retired at the age of 87 which was a difficult but reasonable choice
It was through his career in sales that he met Marsha. After a short courtship, they fell in love and married. They greatly enjoyed their lives together and spent their time going to the theatre, symphony, travelling, and spending time with their many wonderful friends. They were married for 50 years.
Sid will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marsha Schwartzman Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A funeral will be held graveside at Sharrey Zedek cemetery at 11am on Sunday, Decmeber 22.
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