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
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.