Obituaries
JOCELYN KATZ (nee STERN)
(1961-2017)
Jocelyn Arlene Katz daughter of Allan and Donni Stern, mother to Amanda and Jordana Katz, sister to Marlene Stern (Peter Rae) and Susan Stern who predeceased her in 1997, tragically passed away Feb 09, 2017 at her home in Toronto.
Jocelyn grew up in Winnipeg, spent summers at the family cottage, Lake of the Woods, ON, one of her happiest places, moved to Toronto in 1979, obtained her BA at York University, worked in sales, and married Benjy Katz in 1991. They were together nearly 18 years, first living in Toronto, then Hamilton (where their daughters were born), later Winnipeg and finally Hamilton. In 2015, she moved to Toronto.
She was intelligent, curious, gregarious, playful, warm, inclusive, an active volunteer, delivered countless acts of loving kindness to family, friends and strangers, made a party better and everyone around her feel happy and a role model for saying Yes more than No.
Most importantly, Jocelyn devoted her life to being an amazing mother, always thought of her daughter’s first-from what to make them for breakfast, put in their scavenger hunt, and to where their next adventure might take them. She had a lust for fun and a craving for discovering the undiscovered. Each day was different as she dragged them, sometimes excitedly but just as often, reluctantly, to a new neighborhood, gallery, event, restaurant, park, or city. Her disregard for the schedule could be annoying as she endeavored to expose them to the biggest and the best of what was available. Yet, it instilled in them the desire to stop and look around, to appreciate the small things and embrace what the world has to offer. She shaped them into the people they are, and the people they have yet to become.
Her sense of adventure extended to her palate. Renowned among family and friends as a master home cook, every day revolved around food, where to eat it or what to cook. Her interest in cooking wasn’t the pinnacle; it was the sense of family it created in the kitchen together. If there were extras after a restaurant meal or event, she always went out of her way to give the food to someone that needed it more.
Despite all her gifts, Jocelyn struggled to find internal peace, to believe in herself-that she was the great mother, daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend, we all knew her to be. Bipolar Disorder can be a life threatening disease, like heart disease or stroke. It is an assault on the brain, not a reflection of a weak character. Jocelyn so wanted to be OK and often felt there was something wrong with her character. At times she experienced paranoid chatter, which medication didn’t fix. Tragically, the chatter overtook her. She did not want to leave us; she was taken by an unfair illness.
There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without and have to let go. We know we must carry on and live life to the fullest for Jocelyn, she would expect nothing less.
A service was held at the Adas Israel Synagogue, Hamilton on February 12 and funeral at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Winnipeg, followed by internment at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on February 14/17. Pallbearers were Martin Pollock, Peter Rae, Steve Segal, Brian Sorokin, David Stern and Lewis Stern. Donations can be made to the Jocelyn Stern Katz memorial fund supporting Bipolar Disorder Research, Directions and Care by contacting: http://memorial.supporting.ubc.ca/jocelyn-stern-katz/, 1.877.717.4483, 500-5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
BARBARA GOSZER April 15, 1930 – October 6, 2024
It is with profound sadness along with gratitude for her long and purposeful life that we announce the passing of Barbara Goszer. Left with cherished recollections are her children Sharon (Steven Tritt), Elliott (Jennifer Schulz), her grandchildren Sam (Justine), Joseph (Shaun), Nicholas, Sarah, Jack and Max, and her great-grandchildren Carson and Callie. She also leaves to mourn her passing nieces Hilda (Len), Debbie (Jack), Libby (Doug) and their families who loved their “Aunty” dearly. She was predeceased by “the love of her life”, Adam, to whom she was married for almost 60 years and by a daughter, Yonah.
Barbara was born in Lwow, Poland where she often said she had an idyllic childhood until 9 years of age, when the Second World War and the Holocaust started. She was the sole survivor of her family, having been hidden by a courageous woman whom she had honoured as The Righteous Among the Nations and whose descendants sought her out in 2013, forming a warm connection over the past decade.
Barbara was a petite but strong, opinionated, principled woman with an extraordinary sense of social justice, a remarkable work ethic, and the deepest of loyalty. She lived with intention. As a living witness to a time in history when inhumanity was at its height, she spent decades dedicated to educating school aged children and their teachers throughout Manitoba and other parts of Canada about the dangers of discrimination and intolerance of diversity. She advocated standing up for others and taking action despite fear. She also encouraged appreciation for freedom and having a roof over one’s head. Her legacy will inspire her family members as well as generations of children to make a difference in bettering the world we live in. She dreamed of a world free of hatred and of a bright future.
Thank you to Dr. Sheila Domke, her primary care physician, to the entire health care team on 4 North at Grace Hospital, and to her many caregivers in the past couple of years who treated her with the utmost of dignity and respect.
Funeral services were held graveside at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on October 8, 2024. Those wishing to honour her memory can do so by making a donation to the “Barbara and Adam Goszer Holocaust Education Centre Endowment Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
BARBARA RUTH HOCHMAN June 7, 1952 – September 16, 2024
t is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Hochman on Monday, September 16, 2024. Barbara was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the first child born to Clarice and Jack Rubin. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Danny, mother Clarice, sister Jackie (Akman), brother Ron (Rubin), brother-in-law Mickey Hochman (Dorine), nephew Jared Akman (Leanne), niece Jamie Berman (Skyler) and great-nieces and nephew, Lowan, Julie, Shea and Hannah. Barb was predeceased by her father Jack Rubin and brother-in-law Richard Akman. Barbara grew up in River Heights, attending Grant Park High School, then continued her studies at the University of Manitoba. On her first day of university she met Danny and they were married two years later. Barbara began working as a secretary at the law firm Aikins, MacAulay and Thorvaldson, and then advanced to become a corporate and commercial paralegal. She returned to law school while working at AM&T, and eventually became a partner at the firm. Barbara excelled at everything she put her mind to. She was beautiful, stylish and fiercely intelligent. Barb courageously fought her first battle with cancer over 30 years ago. Since then she enjoyed life to the fullest. Barb was a loving and devoted wife, an amazing sister and an extremely generous aunt and great-aunt. She and Danny moved from Winnipeg to Kelowna 15 years ago where they escaped Winnipeg winters and saw their golf games flourish. Barbara will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held to celebrate Barbara’s life on September 20, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jared Akman, Jamie Berman, Skyler Berman, Brent Knazan, David Rubin and Danny Rubin.
Obituaries
AVISHY SHUMELEY
It is with profound sadness I announce the passing of my beloved husband Avi. A graveside service was held on Sept 29, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held
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