Obituaries
FANNY MOCK (nee Gerb) 1915-2018
Peacefully, with dignity and grace, Fanny Mock, age 103, passed away at the Simkin Centre on Sunday, August 5, 2018.
Fanny was predeceased by her husband Edward, her parents Yankel and Cheenya Gorbacz, sisters Shirley Baron, Marsha Garfinkel, Clara Katz and brothers Saul and Max Gerb. Left to cherish her memories and celebrate her life are daughters Sally Levy (Clement), Elayne Mock, Dyan Lamirande, son Harv Mock (Donna), grandchildren Brad Bannon, Jeff Bannon (Brandie), Charmain Levy (Maurilio), Grayson Levy (Lisa) and nine great-grandchildren along with sister-in-law Anne Gerb, numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends upon whom she made a positive and lasting impact.
Born in the tiny Polish village of Mezericz in 1915, Fanny, at age 17, traveled alone across a wide ocean and vast new country to join other family members who preceded her to start a new and exciting chapter in her life in a bustling city called Winnipeg. Like innumerable immigrants before her Fanny embraced her new home with enthusiasm and vigor, enrolling in night classes to learn English while working during the day in the city’s garment trade.
Not long after arriving Fanny’s neighbors introduced her to a charismatic, handsome young man named Edward (Eddy) Mock to whom she became engaged and married, together forging a union that would last 53 years until his passing in 1987, and would produce four loving children, a warm, nurturing home built on a foundation of Yiddishkite, unconditional love, traditional values, and huge helpings of legendary cooking and baking.
Fanny had an indomitable spirit and commitment to giving and service. She was a founder of the Yiddish-speaking H. Levick B’nai Brith Lodge (now known as Jewish Women International) where she worked tirelessly for many worthwhile causes, most notably to gather and send clothes to needy orphans in Israel. For this, as well as her leadership and support, she was twice named B’nai Brith Woman of the Year.
The matriarch of our immediate and extended family, Fanny was the impetus for family celebrations, holiday dinners or any excuse to just get together to laugh, reminisce, share stories and, of course, overindulge in great food. Whether she was Ma, auntie, baba, Mrs. Mock or simply Fanny, she was a reliable source of compassion, wisdom, common sense and a spontaneous, infectious sense of humor. She was quick and genuine with a compliment, loved reading, looked forward to “her shows”, aka afternoon soap operas, and became a late-in-life country music fan, embracing the Grand Ole Opry in her mid-80’s.
Our mother was fortunate to enjoy good health virtually all her life. In fact, when she fell and broke a hip at age 99, doctors did not hesitate to conduct surgery, confident in her successful recovery. And they were right! After her hospital stay Fanny returned home to her own apartment, where she lived until just this past January when, at her own suggestion, she moved to the Simkin Centre where she soon became a favorite of staff and fellow residents alike who relished her quick wit, views on current affairs and her outgoing personality. Our family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the entire staff at the Simkin Centre who treated our mother with care, compassion and respect during her brief residence there.
Fanny was an extraordinary woman. She possessed true strength of character, lived her life with ethics, dignity and purpose and, cliché as it may sound, truly made a difference in many, many lives.
Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at Congregation Etz Chayim by Cantor Tracy Kasner Greaves with eulogies by son Harv Mock and grandson Jeff Bannon. Interment was at B’nay Abraham Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jack Solomon, Al Katz, Shane Solomon, Brad Bannon, Jeff Bannon and Michael Ritter.
Ma, as you rejoin Dad, Max, Saul, Shirley, Clara, Marsha and Baba and Zaida, rest peacefully knowing that we love you, and your heart and spirit will always be a part of us.
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.