Obituaries
ESTHER KATZ
With deep sadness we announce the sudden and peaceful passing of Esther Katz on December 15, 2022, at the age of 92. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Fay-Lynn Katz, (Martin Krawitz), her grand-children, Matthew (Desiree), Cara (David Coodin), Jonathan (Rachel), great-grand-children, Miles, Lyla and Phoebe, sister-in-law, Thelma Shore, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Edie and Minnie Shore, her husband, Morris, her two sons, David and Philip, and her brother, Victor Shore.
Esther was born in Winnipeg and had a happy childhood. She grew up alongside her big brother in a family home where all Jewish customs and traditions were observed. As a teenager she joined a Jewish youth group, where she met the love of her life, Morris. They married in 1951 and shared a wonderful life, blessed with the company of family and friends. Together, Morris and Esther ran Y-Not Grocery across from the University of Winnipeg, where the store still stands. They enjoyed travelling, especially with Victor and Thelma. Esther and Morris lovingly raised their two sons, providing them with Jewish education and instilling in both strong Jewish values.
Esther was a brave, resilient and independent woman. Although she suffered a number of tragic losses, after each she found the strength to move forward. Her youngest son, David, died suddenly in 1982; her husband, Morris, in 1985; and her son, Philip, in 2014. Throughout all of this adversity, Esther bravely soldiered on.
Esther maintained many lifelong friendships through neighbourhood activity, mah-jong, Bnai Brith Women’s bowling, National Council of Jewish Women, the YMHA Stay Young Club , the Shaarey Zedek seniors group and volunteer work .
Esther loved to walk, do crosswords, read, play cards and play games on the computer. She taught her grandchildren many card games. She was an amazing baker and shared her cookies with everyone. She loved to travel and visited many continents in her lifetime. Esther also enjoyed annual summer visits with her Toronto relatives at their cottage on Lake Muskoka. Above all else, Esther loved her family and, after the loss of her youngest son and husband, her focus became her son, Philip, daughter in-law, Fay-Lynn, and triplet grandchildren. Along with Fay-Lynn’s parents, Toby and Mayer Gutwilik, with whom she shared a very close friendship, Esther partnered in assisting to raise the triplets.
Esther was a wonderful and devoted grandmother who spent much of her time with her grandchildren, babysitting, crafting, playing cards and games, reading and driving them wherever they needed to go. She was blessed to have been at the triplets’ important events growing up, to have attended their b’nai mitvah, graduations, to have danced at their weddings and ultimately, to have met her great- grandchildren, Miles, Lyla and Phoebe.
Esther’s warm smile, her loving and sweet nature will be forever missed and remembered by her daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to extend its appreciation and gratitude to the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence, the Simkin Centre, and to special caregivers, Merlyn and Lisa.
Graveside funeral services were held at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park on December 19, 2022, officiated by Rabbi Leibl. Pallbearers were Matthew Katz, Jonathan Katz, David Coodin, Ian Shore, Sheldon Mindell, and Bernie Adelman.
For those wishing, donations in Esther’s memory may be made to the Morris and Esther Katz Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
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.