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Obituaries

ETHEL CHOCHINOV March 28, 1933 – January 17, 2024

Ethel was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan in 1933, and moved to Winnipeg as a young girl with her parents, Beatrice and Isaac Shnider and her brother Sol. She grew up on Glenwood Crescent on the east side of the Red River, ate raspberries and apples from the garden, loved school, and played with her best friend, Audrey Vineberg who lived down the street, She had a happy girlhood. As a smart, talented and driven young woman, she dreamed of becoming a doctor, but was talked out of it by her brother (women weren’t all that welcome into Medical School back then), so went into Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba instead. She graduated in 1955 with the silver medal, losing out to Audrey for the gold by only one point.
But she won the biggest prize anyway, because that’s where she met Earl Chochinov, a fellow Pharmacy classmate. They locked eyes and began the next, best and lasting chapter of Ethel’s life. Married in 1956, they became partners in love, life and business. Starting with the purchase of their first store—Eldorado Drugs on Henderson Highway—they retired 30 years later as the proud owners and operators of a successful chain of four retail drugstores across the city. Ethel was a full partner, controller, office manager, and decision-maker with Earl in their enterprise. She worked hard and loved being an independent career woman. Later as a retiree, she used her proven management and financial skills in both paid and volunteer capacities. From 1987 – 2000, she was a part-time Management Services Program Advisor to family businesses with the Business Development Bank of Canada. As an active and committed volunteer, she was secretary/treasurer of her strata council for many years, and held many executive roles at the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria – her beloved organization that became like a second home to her and Earl for over three decades.
Ethel had a rich and active personal life – family, friends, tennis, golf, volunteering, and then a major move across the country to Victoria, BC in 1994. Always in the company of Earl (except for one single night when he went on a business trip to Flin Flon, and when one of them was in the hospital), they created a glorious life on the west coast that became their cherished home ever since. The years were full of adventures in travel, a community of wonderful friends that became their “fRamily”, winters in Palm Springs, pilates, more golf, tennis, entertaining, Mah Jong and late-night online poker.
Ethel was a devoted mother and bubbie, always so supportive of her kids’ many interests, educational pursuits, and very proud of the careers they chose and the marriages they made. She had a special bond with her only grandchild, Bronwyn, who made her heart even bigger with every visit and conversation. She was a woman whose sharp mind, unwavering loyalty and dedication to supporting others were the defining attributes of who she was in this world. Her enduring and devoted love story with Earl will one day be made into an Oscar-winning movie.
Ethel is survived by Earl, daughter Deena (Eric Posen), son Allan (Victoria Brown), and granddaughter Bronwyn.
The family sends their endless gratitude and thanks to Drs.Ted and Priya Rosenberg of Home Team Medical, and the entire staff at Amica Douglas House. These compassionate and expert professionals took outstanding care of Ethel, and offered her their unwavering support and kind attention every single day.
Funeral services were held at Hatley Jewish Cemetery, Victoria, BC on Friday, January 19.
Donations to honour Ethel’s blessed memory can be made to the Jewish Community Centre of Victoria https://jccvictoria.ca

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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.

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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.

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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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