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Obituaries

GERTIE SCHWARTZ

Schwartz Gertie edited 1It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our cherished Mother, Baba, and Great Baba Gertie Schwartz at the age of 96. She passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 5th at her home in Toronto where she resided for the last 10 years.

Gertie was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years Harry (Hashie), parents Sam and Maeta Priesel, sisters Berte Sera and Anne Erenberg, and daughter-in-law Ronda.
She is lovingly remembered by her children Howie (Kathy), Maureen, and Ken (Gayla), as well as her grandchildren Brad (Donna), Devin (Melanie), Rayna (Bas), Lisa, Carly, Ali, and Lindsey. She will also be missed by her great grandchildren Shiffy, Chani, Rochelle, Rivki, Yitzi, Esti, Sara Aliza, Shevi, Benson, and Oliver, as well as sister-in-law Lucy Slusky, and many nieces and nephews.
Born August 29th, 1925 in Poland, Gertie emigrated to Canada with her family at the age of 3, first to Hoffer, Saskatchewan, and then to Winnipeg shortly thereafter.
Gertie’s early years were difficult, losing her mother when she was only 13. When she was 21, Gertie met Hashie, the love of her life, on a blind date. Six months later they were married spending 50 wonderful years together. They loved their many vacations to Florida, Hawaii, and later Palm Springs as well as their summers at the cottage at Falcon Lake.
Gertie was known as “Auntie Gertie” not only to her nieces and nephews, but to all the neighbourhood children, friends of her children, as well as the children of her many friends. Everyone was welcome in Gertie’s home.
During the last years of her life Gertie experienced numerous health problems, but nothing kept her down. We used to joke about her having 9 lives! Despite this, her mind was sharp, never forgetting anything or anyone.
At age 87 Gertie moved to Baycrest Terraces inToronto to be closer to family there, and to get to know her grandchildren better. She insisted she really wasn’t interested in making new friends. A month later she was playing Bridge 3 times a week and even teaching the game to beginners, as well sitting on committees.
Gertie had a thirst for knowledge. She was interested in everything and everyone around her, making new friends wherever she went. In her 80’s she embraced technology and spent hours every day at her computer either emailing friends and family, on Facebook or reading the Free Press. In the last few years Alexa became her best friend as she listened to Jets and Bomber games, and CJOB.
Gertie was always happy for other people’s success, and genuinely empathized with their disappointments. The eternal optimist, she always said “When one door closes, another one opens”.
We can only strive to be the kind of inspiring and dedicated person Gertie was, and hope to live a long life with a sharp mind and loving heart, and the same positive attitude which she has shown to us all.
What more can we ask for…a long life, respect, and to be loved by all!
Donations in Gertie’s memory may be made to the Gertie and Harry (Hash) Schwartz Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

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Obituaries

Lorraine Norma Reiner (nee Reich)

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Lorraine Reiner announces the passing of our mother and baba after a difficult battle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her children, Marlaina (Hillel) and Susan (Wil), her grandchildren, Sarah (Justin), Jordana (Blake), and Micah, and her great grandson, Elias. She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Sam, her husband Barry, her brother Max, her son Sam, and her granddaughters June and Beth.
Lorraine, at her core, was a loving caregiver. Lor-raine‘s father died when she was only eight years old. She grew up helping her mother with household and family chores after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She cared for her mother-in-law, husband, and cousin during their battles with ill-nesses and final stages of life.
We remember Lorraine as a woman whose love for her family knew no limits. She adored her children and grandchildren and formed special bonds with each of them. Her family was everything to her, and she meant the world to her family. She stepped into the role of Baba Lorraine with open arms and an enormous heart; there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children and grandchildren. Lorraine was surrounded by her family during her final stage of life.
Cooking was an important part of Lorraine’s identi-ty. She was most famous for her chicken soup and S-cookies and she loved to spread joy and comfort through sharing her cooking with others. She always had a freezer stocked with homemade meals and anytime a family member felt unwell, she was at the ready with a batch of “Jewish penicillin”.
Lorraine had a diverse and eclectic resume that in-cluded office work for all three Jewish Newspapers, including The Jewish Post, The Western Jewish News, and The Yiddeshe Vort. Later she worked as office staff at Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate and As-troid Management. Her final job was an 11-year tenure as a clerk for the City of Winnipeg’s Assess-ment Department.
Lorraine loved sharing stories with everyone and had a special way of getting lost in a story. Any-one who had the pleasure of listening to one of Lor-raine’s stories knows how her mood instantly lit up when she had the opportunity to share. Her stories, alongside her recipes, will live on through her loved ones.
The funeral was held at the Chesed Shel Emes on Tuesday March 26, followed by a burial service at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Blake Nichols, Justin Odwak, Cal & Asher Reich, Brian Rosenberg, Wil Scheiring, Sean Smith, and Micah Sommer. Honorary pallbearers were Mickey Rosenberg & Alan Schweid.
The family wishes to thank the numerous health-care staff who participated in Lorraine’s care over the past couple of months, especially the wonderful staff at the Health Sciences Centre H3 surgical unit, Drs. Bubis, Goldenberg, Lipschitz, Shell, and Visser.

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Obituaries

EDWARD PERRY REISS April 30, 1935 – February 20, 2024

Ed was born in Poland in 1935 and fled to Canada in 1939 with his parents Raizel and Ira and older brothers Harry and Sam. The family settled in Edenbridge, SK where they farmed and where sister Ida was born.
In high school, the family moved to Winnipeg where Ed attended St. John’s before attending the University of Manitoba and finishing at the University of Western Ontario.
In 1968, Ed met his wife Barbara playing badminton at the YMHA. They were married three months later and left for New York where Ed trained as a stockbroker on Wall Street. Returning to Winnipeg, Ed worked as a broker for years before joining Barbara in what became the family business, Desserts Plus. They worked together for close to 40 years.
In 1971 daughter Lisa was born followed by Pam in 1974. Ed loved spending time with his family at their cottage near Kenora or on many road trips around North America and trips around the world. We were blessed and fortunate to be able to enjoy our time together.
Ed is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barbara; daughter Pam and his buddy Farfel, as well as his brother Sam, sister Ida Alpern and in-laws, Len and Lynne Shapiro, Honey Kowall, and nephews and nieces.
Ed was predeceased by his dear daughter Lisa, parents, Raizel and Ira, in-laws, Irene and Joe Shapiro, brother Harry, sisters-in-law, Vicky and Bayla, brothers-in-law, Saul Alpern and David Shapiro.
The family thanks the wonderful staff at the Simkin Centre who were very supportive and caring during his time there. And our deep thanks to Cantor Tracy Kasner for performing the burial ceremony with kindness and sensitivity.
Ed was a man of integrity, intelligence, honesty, wit, and above all else, he loved his girls.

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Obituaries

PHILIP KAHANOVITCH

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Philip Kahanovitch in Winnipeg, MB on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Philip will be remembered by his dear son Joshua; brother David; niece and nephews, Deborah, Aaron and Jonathan. Philip was predeceased by his loving wife Susan, parents, Moses and Esther, brother Gerry, and sister-in-law Risa.
Philip was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Philip loved travelling on cruises and throughout both North America and Europe. Philip will be remembered for his career as a teacher in both Altona, Neepawa, and Winnipeg, and for his long standing practice as a professional accountant. Philip adored dogs, particularly terriers, and owned several furry companions over the years, including his beloved Hamish.
Following a service, Philip was interred at Rosh Pina Cemetery. If loved ones desire, a memorial donation can be made to a charity of their choice.

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