Obituaries
FRANCES SETTLER
If you are reading this obituary you probably are reading it with a smile on your face. A memory of Frances would always be filled with stories of kindness, intelligence and humour.
The Settler home on Niagara was the best. Frances’s three children, Len, Miriam and Seymour, grew up in a home full of love and fun. It was a place teeming with all variety of books – with classical music and opera. The home was imbued with the smells of cooking, which was always delicious and home-made. Frances loved to cook for her family, loved watching everyone eat, and loved to talk about food and try new recipes. Frances had undeniable love for her family; it was constant and unbreakable. She kept her thoughts to herself – and was never critical of anyone, especially her children.
Frances would frequent the WSO with her husband Moishe as season ticket holders and, after Moishe died, would continue to attend with friends or by herself. Whether it was the ballet, symphony, MTC, PTE, or the opera, she would be there: energetic, sharp, inquisitive, ageless even in her nineties, and often with her car parked outside to drive herself home.
Frances was a spectacular woman, exuberant, with a ferocious independence of mind, and totally unwearied investment in the world. She loved discussing world events and always had an opinion – which she would share, but not before she listened to what you had to say. Frances was always friendly to new faces. She took great pleasure in meeting new people and was always so warm, tolerant, accepting and inviting.
Frances “lived” – in the full sense of the word, nearly a century. She expressed an interest in everyone and everything. She traveled the world with Moishe and they gave their grandchildren indelible experiences. One such trip was a ski trip to Banff, driving in December (along with a giant icebox of food), and taking four grandchildren skiing.
In her later years she played with and fawned over a growing multitude of 12 great-grandchildren. She made so many new friends, whom she kept over a lifetime. She opened herself to art, purely for the love of it. She was well known as a valuable volunteer at Art Rental at the WAG.
What defined Frances? Her intelligence, her interest in everyone and everything, her thoughtfulness, her smile……
Frances was predeceased by: her husband Moishe, and brother Harold Bookbinder, brothers-in-law Bert Settler and Al Waisman, sisters-in-law Ruth Zoltok and Faye Settler, and nephew Louis Bookbinder. She is survived by: her children, Len, Seymour, Miriam, and son-in-law Gary; her grandchildren, Laine, Courtney, Jonah, Jess, Janna, Leslee, Carly, Melissa, Michael, and Maddy; and 12 great-grandchildren. The great-grandchildren called her, appropriately, “Great Frances” as “Great Grandma Frances” was just too much to say. That name was perfect to describe Frances. Frances is also survived by: her brother and sister-in-law Arnold and Sally Bookbinder; sisters-in-law Laura Bookbinder and Faigie Waisman; along with nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank St. Boniface Hospital Emergency and Unit 5B for allowing our mother to have a death with comfort and dignity. Also, thank you to Maria Arbuthnot, Sonia Bermudez and Lucy Smith, for their devotion in caring for Frances.
Your memory is a blessing, Mom. We love you.
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.