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Obituaries

Evelyn Gurvey

Peacefully, on May 18th, 2023, Evelyn Gurvey passed away at North York General Hospital in Toronto.  She was predeceased by her loving husband Harry, and her beloved parents Hymie and Marion Mozart.  Evelyn will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children Martin Gurvey (Brenda), Gayla Schwartz (Ken) and Alan Gurvey (Nancy); grandchildren, Faren Asaria (Roy), Marli Lichtman (Kyle), Harlan Gurvey (Amanda), Rayna Schwartz (Bas), Lisa, Carly, Ali and Lindsey Schwartz, Hudson and Harper Gurvey; great-grandchildren Asher and Maya Asaria, Max Lichtman, Madison Gurvey, and Benson and Oliver de Beer; sister Mindy Cantor, and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. 
Evelyn was born in Winnipeg on June 4, 1931.  She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1952 and enjoyed a fulfilling career in library sciences, first working at the McGill University Library in Montreal.  After several years raising her children, she returned to the University of Manitoba Elizabeth Dafoe Library in 1975, and then concluded her career at the University of Manitoba Medical School Library in 1986.  She was respected and loved by students and professors alike, dedicated and committed to her supervisory role in the library until her retirement.
After retiring from the University of Manitoba, Evelyn volunteered for many worthy causes, including the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Leisure Group, the Gwen Sector Creative Living Center, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Women’s Committee of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, for which she was profoundly proud. 
Evelyn was thoughtful and caring.  She was the soul of wit, the cornerstone of reason, and the picture of love, exhibiting unwavering support and a keen sense of humour. This was superimposed on an adventurous, youthful spirit and infectious personality that was a guiding matriarchal light on her ever-growing family.  She had never-ending optimism, always ready with a witty and insightful quip. 
She was well-known and well-loved for her cooking and baking, often traveling near and far with an Oreo, strawberry or cherry cheesecake, Tia Maria tort, shortbread cookies or her famous marble cake to share with neighbors, family and friends. She was renowned for her meatballs, which were particularly savoured by her grandchildren.
Evelyn’s interests were widespread, with a profound love of music and musical theatre.  She took every opportunity to sing in a choir, whether it was on a cruise ship, at synagogue or in the community. She danced with passion, always with a big smile on her face.  
She also loved to travel.  Evelyn spent many years traveling with her husband of 49 years, Harry, enjoying many vacations, particularly cruises and road trips with her family.  After Harry passed away, she traveled extensively, often by herself, making new friends and relishing new experiences.
Evelyn was a frequent guest on her son Alan’s Los Angeles based radio show, Gurvey’s Law. She often shared the microphone with legal luminaries, actors, athletes and news personalities, holding her own with intelligence and good humour.  She was a natural on the radio, adding insightful and meaningful commentary to almost any subject.
Evelyn had a way with words, ushering her way though life with sentiments of encouragement, jokes and philosophical sayings.  Her love of art, opera, symphony, philosophy, literature and sports inspired many of these interests in her children and grandchildren. She was a dedicated fan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Minnesota Vikings. Evelyn loved summer days at the family cottage at West Hawk Lake, where she enjoyed relaxing and spending time with family. 
Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes in Winnipeg on May 22, 2023. Pallbearers were grandchildren Faren Asaria, Marli Lichtman, Harlan Gurvey, Rayna Schwartz, Lisa Schwartz and Carly Schwartz.
If friends and family so desire, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (204-949-3999), or a charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025

Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.

Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.

Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.  

In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program. 

Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.

The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.

A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg.  Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.

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Obituaries

DR. ARTHUR G. HERSCOVITCH

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arthur Herscovitch on February 3, 2025, at the age of 77.

Arthur will be remembered by his wife Linda, daughter Rennie (Mark), granddaughters, Anna and Miriam, sister Judy (Mel), brother Robert (Lynda), brother Martin (Rose), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arthur started his long career as a clinical psychologist in Winkler, Manitoba. A year later he moved back to Winnipeg, where he spent 36 years working at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, where he helped thousands of patients through very difficult times.

Arthur and Linda loved to travel and visited places such as China, Turkey, Morocco and many countries in Europe, and they went on road trips all over North America. Arthur was a very creative man who enjoyed woodworking and sketching, and he loved to engage in physical activities such as jogging and weightlifting. Above all else, Arthur cherished his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Simkin Centre for your care of Arthur. Your patience, compassion and understanding are greatly appreciated.

A funeral service was held in Arthur’s honour at the Chesed Shel Emes on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.

Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.

She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.

Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.

She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.

Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.

Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.

Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.

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