Obituaries
ETTIE (ETHEL) ROBINSON
June 25, 1929 – November 14, 2018
Ettie Robinson passed away peacefully in Winnipeg on November 14, 2018. She lived out her final days at home surrounded by family, as was her wish.
Ettie is survived by her children Terry & Freda, Bonnie, Evan & Cindy, David & Liz, and grandchildren Kelly, Sean, Joshua, Ari, Zev, and Daniel, siblings Reisa Libling, Penny Kalef, and Marshall Peikoff. She was predeceased by her loving husband Earl W. Robinson, parents Malick and Rose (Rabinovitch) Peikoff, and sister Elsa Wall.
Ettie was born Ethel Peikoff, on June 25, 1929, the second of five children of Malick and Rose. She grew up in a very close family in Rossburn, MB. The family lived above their parents’ general store, where Ettie loved to help her father. After high school in Rossburn, Ettie graduated in 1949 with a BA from the U of M, and a Bachelor of Social Work from McGill University in 1950. She then worked as a social worker at the Family Bureau, and volunteered as a board member with Jewish Child and Family Service and later B’nai Brith Camp.
After graduation she met Earl Robinson, marrying at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg, August 2, 1951. They were a strong team, raising four children, keeping a Jewish home and growing the family business (S.I.R. Sports) together. Ettie was kind, loving and supportive of her children and grandchildren, and was extremely proud of their accomplishments.
Ettie excelled at badminton, bowling, tennis and golf, embroidery and knitting. She had a keen eye for beauty in art, fashion and home décor. She read voraciously and completed the newspaper puzzles in ink. She played Mahjong and Bridge, attended concerts and book club. Through all of these activities she had a large network of wonderful friends.
The many summers spent at Big Whiteshell Lake were formative for the children and a focus of family life. It was special that Penny, her sister and best friend, lived next door at the lake. Ettie and Earl travelled to many places around the world. Later in life they enjoyed cruises as a couple and with family. They especially loved their winter homes in Maui and later Palm Springs and spending time there with family and friends.
Ettie loved and was loved by so many. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed.
Memorial donations may be made to the ‘Earl & Ettie Robinson Fund’ at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to CancerCare Manitoba.
Funeral services were held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Friday, Nov. 16. Pallbearers were Evan, David, Liz, Ari and Zev Robinson and Daniel Rosenfeld.
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.