Obituaries
HELEN KAHANE
June 16, 1920 – November 11, 2018
With deep sadness we mourn the death of our beloved mother Helen Kahane who passed away November 11, 2018.
She graced our lives with her generosity of spirit, diamond sharp intellect and golden care. Helen elevated us all right until the end of her 98 years. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Nov.13, 2018 led by Bill Weisman and her grandson Rabbi Ariel Goldberg. Pallbearers were her grandchildren Lorence Bryans, Hava Goldberg, Avi Goldberg, Lisa Goldberg Najman, Alicia Kutner Goldenberg and Mike Katz.
Interment was at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. Donations may be made to the Helen and Maurice Kahane Fund of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and Canadian Hadassah-WIZO. Thank you to Dr. Colin Fletcher, the WRHA Palliative Care and the Grace Hospital Internal Medicine teams. We will always be grateful for her loving caregivers from “Friendly Caregiver Seniors Care” in her final few years and the support of the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence.
Born in 1920 in Winnipeg, eldest child of Sarah and Jacob Diamond, Helen grew up in Plum Coulee, Manitoba along with her brothers Lazar and Harold. Z”l. Her parents were instrumental in the community as the owners of the Queen’s Hotel and she was raised in the heart of the community with strong Jewish values, work ethic and loving kindness. At age 16, Helen moved to Winnipeg to complete grade 12 at Wesley Collegiate and went on to earn a BSC at the University of Manitoba, trained as a RN and became the head of Obstetrics at the Misericordia Hospital. In 1946 Helen married the love of her life, Maurice Kahane and devoted herself as a wife and mother of her four daughters; Barbara (Stephen Kutner of Holliston, MA), Ruth (Harvey Goldberg of Ottawa, Ont.), Debra(Sheldon Goldberg of Lions Bay, B.C.), and Joan (Paul Bryans of Salt Spring Island, B.C.)
Her immediate and extended family were the focus of her loving attention. She was a guiding force in each of her grandchildren’s lives and will be greatly missed by Ariel (Francesca), Hava (Mike), Avi(Amy), Lisa (Jonathan), Alicia (Teddy), Blake( Meredith) and Lorence. When she was not being the unsurpassed hostess to her family members, she travelled across the continent to visit them. She was an essential part of every family milestone. She was thrilled to be a great-grandmother to Sage, Rye, Elliott, and Olivia.
During the past few years she enjoyed having her brother-in-law, Leonard Kahane also living at the Shaftesbury. She loved and treasured her in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. She became the matriarch of the Kahane/Diamond/Kluner and Jacob families and was cherished by everyone whose lives she touched.
Helen invested countless years volunteering and naturally rose to leadership roles, a pillar in the community, making an imprint on organizations such as Canadian Hadassah-WIZO, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Sisterhood and the River Heights Community Centre.
Helen was a lifelong learner and taught her children to be strong, kind and honest. She lived a meaningful life. May our mother Helen’s memory be a blessing always.
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.