Obituaries
GLORIA REMIS BROWN March 2, 1922 – July 6, 2020
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Gloria Brown on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 98 years of age.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Rhonda Bland, Susan and Bruce Rosner; her grandchildren, Laura Bland, Jeffrey and Karen Bland, Kimi Rosner and Mark Unruh, Adam and Andrea Rosner, Jamie Rosner and Frances Rosner and her great grandchildren, Rory, Sawyer, Georgia and Colette Bland, Sampson Rosner-Unruh, Jill and Max Rosner, and Jude Rosner.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Roy Phillip Brown, her parents, Boris and Betty Remis, her brothers, Leonard Remis and Bernard Remis, her sister-in-law, Elaine Remis, and her son-in-law, Dr. Charles Sheldon Bland.
Special appreciation to her devoted caregivers, Esther, Ivy, Daisy, Amor, Jeanette, Odessa, Liza 1, Liza 2, Nelia, and her nurse, Jan.
Gloria was born in Winnipeg and grew up at 260 Manitoba Avenue. She attended the Peretz School and graduated from St. John’s Tech High School in 1939, and from the University of Manitoba, School of Interior Design, Faculty of Architecture, in 1942. Interior Design was a new program at the University and Gloria was in the second graduating class. She was awarded two scholarships while a student there.
She met and started dating her future husband, Roy, in the spring of 1943. He was a physician, practicing in Gladstone, Manitoba at the time. They were introduced by Roy’s sister, Sadie Stein. They were able to see each other when he came into the city on weekends and in between, they wrote letters. It was wartime, and courtships were short. They were married on October 5, 1943. They honeymooned in New York City, and when they returned they created their first home together in Gladstone. Roy was the only physician for miles around and Gloria learned to become a homemaker par excellence. She was already an accomplished seamstress, but now she honed her culinary and baking skills for her husband and his bachelor farmer friends.
They welcomed their two daughters in 1944 and 1947. And in late autumn, 1947, they moved back to Winnipeg, where they purchased a home on Brock Street in River Heights and Roy commenced his practice at Sargent and Spence.
They joined Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Gloria became involved in the Sisterhood, National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, where she was President of her chapter.
In 1953, Gloria and Roy built a new home on Waterloo Street, and in 1959, they built their cottage on Falcon Lake. Summers at the lake were wonderful and created memories that have been elevated in the family lore.
Together they moved to Rochester, NY in 1966, where Roy became a Resident in Radiology. Wherever life took her, Gloria was supportive of her husband’s endeavours. During those years, she called Roy her student prince.
Upon completion, they moved to Toronto where they lived in Willowdale and again, Gloria adapted, reached out, became involved and made new friends.
They sailed the Glory B from the Island Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. She was a volunteer at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. She became an avid bridge player. Gloria and Roy were enthusiastic supporters of the symphony and ballet. Gloria loved to travel and during those years she and Roy had many wonderful trips.
Her interest in ceramics led her to study pottery for many years.
Gloria was accepted at the Ontario College of Art and in 1986, she graduated with a Diploma in Design. When she started the program, she was a ceramicist, but, by the time she completed the course, she was designing and constructing beautiful furniture. She was an older returning student in her class, but that didn’t deter her from making very good friendships with classmates younger than her own children.
Gloria and Roy returned to Winnipeg in 1994, necessitated by Roy’s illness. She was by his side until he passed in 2000. The foundation of her devotion was their long shared history of love, admiration and respect for each other.
Gloria will be remembered by her family as a woman who blended tradition with the changing world. She had a clear and insightful intellect. Her loving and loyal dedication to her family was reciprocated abundantly.
Through her life, she sewed beautiful pieces, first for herself and then later for her daughters, grandchildren. and great grandchildren. But the most wonderful thing she stitched was the tapestry of our family – weaving each and every generation and each and everyone of us into the whole.
She will be forever missed.
Funeral services were held at Shaarey Zedek Memorial Park on July 8, 2020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roy Phillip Brown and Gloria Brown Medical Entrance Scholarship, Award #25532, University of Manitoba, give.umanitoba.ca, 204-474-9195, or a charity of donor’s choice.
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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