Obituaries
JOYCE SHIMOJI June 23rd, 1930-Feb 28th, 2021
After a brief illness preceded by a long brave journey through dementia, Joyce Shimoji passed away on February 28th, 2021 at age 90.
She passed away at home comfortably and calmly, while under the care of her long time personal care attendant, Liezl Pacete, and the staff of the Simkin Centre.
She is survived by her sons Bert (Paula) Finkelstein, Mark Finkelstein, and their half sister Janine Baer; stepchildren Joel (Dena) Shimoji, Leanne (Dean) Chale and Tammy Shimoji; grandchildren Samson (Charlotte Greenblatt) Finkelstein, Jonah (Laura Emiola) Finkelstein; Jenna (Levi) Johnston, Amanda, Sarah and Kiera Shimoji; Kirsten and Hannah Chale; great-grandchildren Freya and Tomas Finkelstein, Londyn Johnston, Hailee and Jonah Emiola; and sister Clarice Rubin, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Predeceased by siblings Harry (Sandy) Riesenberg, Mickey (Jean) Riesenberg, Beckey Selwyn and Sylvia (Jack) Knazan, and son-in-law Boyd Newton.
Joyce was born on June 23, 1930 in Winnipeg Manitoba. She grew up in the north end of Winnipeg and attended St. John’s Tech. She moved to Vancouver, British Columbia where she met her first husband, Jack Finkelstein. They were married in 1952 and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan. After having their two sons, Mark and Bert, they moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Joyce raised her family, volunteered in various charitable organizations and developed a lifelong love of antiques, particularly antique art class. She also enjoyed her time golfing, gardening and, for a time, showing the family dog Rocky in various local dog shows. Above all she enjoyed the times with her sisters, Clarice, Sylvia, and Becky, and their families.
Later in life Joyce married Tom Shimoji. Many years of travel, special times at Falcon lake and the gift of watching her grandchildren grow up, followed. After Tom’s passing in 2006 the entire Shimoji family adopted Joyce and so generously gave her their love, time, and attention until the very end. It seemed there always was someone around to maintain Mom’s spirits and positivity. It was of immense comfort knowing this support was being given and could not be more appreciated.
Joyce was a personality who made an impression.
She enjoyed celebration and actively pursued happiness – a lesson to be heeded.
She loved her grandchildren and was never happier than when, as she aged, she had the pleasure of holding her great-grand children, knowing perhaps how precious and rare these opportunities were becoming. She fought, sometimes angrily, the effects of her dementia, but graciously accepted her dependence as her condition worsened and so appreciated the care she received. We are forever thankful for the kind care of her personal care attendant, Liezl Pacete, and her longtime friend and attendant, Antonia Kotulas. Words cannot express our gratitude.
We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses on 4 South at the Grace Hospital for the attentive, compassionate care they offered. We particularly want to thank the medical and nursing staff at the Simkin Centre for their long term and ultimately palliative care of mother.
As per Joyce’s wishes, cremation will take place.
At a future date when family and friends can safely gather a celebration of life will be held.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Japanese Cultural Center of Winnipeg, 180 McPhillips St., Winnipeg Manitoba R3E 2J9
Obituaries
SOL SHLOMO TODRES
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Sol (Shlomo) Todres on October 27, 2024 in Israel. Sol was born in Winnipeg in 1934 to Sam and Bessie Todres. He was a proud North Ender who graduated from St. John’s High School and received his BA and Masters in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. He was a strong believer in the power of group work and translated those beliefs in his role as the first full-time Director of Bnai Brith Camp in Kenora. Of his many innovations, his most beloved and enduring was the development of Advanced Camp for the older campers- a source of meaningful and enduring memories for many.
In 1968 he made Aliyah and settled in Kfar Saba. He earned his doctorate in Social Work from Yeshiva University. His work career included contributions to the Ministry of Welfare and Bar Ilan University.
He is survived by his loving wife Varda, his son Allon (Ortal), his daughter Naomi of Ibiza, Spain. He leaves behind his brother Rubin (Elaine), his nephews, Jesse of Toronto, Howard of Saskatoon, his nieces Lindsay of New York, and Susan of Winnipeg, and three grandchildren.
Donations in his honour can be made to Bnai Brith Camp of Winnipeg
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.
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