Obituaries
KOBY AIDEN SHUSTER September 29, 1989 – May 27, 2020
Koby was not your average human.
He was precocious, charismatic, genuine, articulate, caustic, determined. He could be sweet and caring. He could be provocative. He could be sly. As a child, he read early. He watched Fantasia religiously. He was a notorious mouth-open eater and an idiosyncratic toe-walker.
He began to play classical guitar when he was five years old, swiftly surpassing his father’s abilities. His phenomenal vocabulary emerged effortlessly and often baffled his peers. Later, when he studied Criminology at SFU, he would dissect slower students’ feeble arguments with ease. He would produce excellent work if he felt like it or subtly infuse an unappealing assignment with derisive humour. On the soccer field, he was a wrecking ball.
He loved his family and friends, and he especially treasured his grandparents, Lawrence and Eddy Werier, who encouraged him to colour outside the lines. When he wanted to accomplish something, however difficult, he found his focus. He claimed his Jewish heritage despite being born into a secular household. He decided that he would have a bar mitzvah and learned how to read the Hebrew alphabet in a week. During later travel in Israel, he felt that he had come home.
Koby kindled a deep relationship with music. He bewitched the bass guitar. He found kinship in artists who circumvent norms, from Tech N9ne to RATM (who he was so excited to see in concert again before Covid-19 hit) to Shuggie Otis to Run the Jewels. He held a deep abiding love for southern hip-hop. His band, Dust, enjoyed significant high school fame. Koby made many deep bonds with musicians of all backgrounds and had an uncanny ability to connect with and support others through music.
Koby was a sage of sorts. He would never mince words or participate in cheap generosity. His caring was raw and true. If he saw that you needed support, he would help, but if you were being overly dramatic, he had no sympathy for that. His challenging words were often an invitation to play or discover truth. In another time period he might have been a lauded orator or philosopher.
People were drawn to him. His presence had an orbit. Koby’s charisma was irresistible, and he loved to have a good time. He could get his way so naturally because his magnetism was bound with a respect for others’ boundaries. Despite his omnipresent independence, he could make others feel at ease with a caring look or an honest, incisive observation. He said what was needed in the moment, and he expected others to speak honestly to him. He was a secret-keeper for many people and held this position as a sacred trust.
Koby understood darkness, and it understood him. He experienced trauma from losing several beloved friends to addiction, which hardened him against himself and fueled his own substance abuse. He never recovered from the guilt of believing he was responsible, even though he wasn’t. He knew himself so well, and yet he was never able to forgive himself.
Koby suffered deeply but was too proud to accept help. His identity was bound up in making it without outside support. His web of mental health struggles grew over the years.
Sometimes when you tie a knot very tightly, you can’t untie it again.
Koby’s death was an accidental overdose. He was in his small apartment, in the bath. He loved to soak in the tub. He was sick of anxiety and tired of being afraid, but he didn’t want to die. He was a suffering guy who did some bad dope. It’s ironic that what got Koby in the end was the insidiousness of fentanyl.
It’s important to understand that Koby never gave up his honour. He put those close to him through heartache, but he was also very loyal and loving. In his last text to his Mom a few days before he died he told her he loved her. He did that all the time.
He made a point of not implicating others in his actions. He lived fast and with so much heart. He rejected dull moments. Some of his exploits had a legendary quality that only he was capable of generating. Those fortunate enough to be beneficiaries of his gifts in this life know how blessed they are.
He is survived by his mother Jodie Werier, father Michael Shuster, grandparents Lawrence and Eddy Werier, nanny and second mom Augustina (Olive) Johnpierre, Ziggy, the dog that made his eyes itchy, and his extended family of neighbours and friends on the block that he grew up on and beyond.
We don’t want flowers. They make us sneeze. Please contribute to a charity that supports mental health and addiction. They go hand in hand. And please take the time to know and love yourself enough that you can live how you want but also have the resolve to care well for yourself.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Sheldon Paul Nemy | Solomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel | 01/04/1947 | 23/06/2026 | 8 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kadys | Moshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla | 12/01/1945 | 19/06/2026 | 4 Tamuz 5786 | Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave | More Info |
| Richard Gordon | Yitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina | 06/11/1943 | 14/06/2026 | 29 Sivan 5786 | Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MB | More Info |
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Uncategorized
KAREN LEIPSIC
April 3, 1944 – May 21, 2026
Beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Chaya Tova bat Raisel v’Calman.
Born on April 3, 1944, in Saskatchewan, Karen (Chaya Tova) was raised in a deeply rooted Jewish home built by parents whose courage and resilience shaped generations to come. Her father, Calman, was born on the Lipton Baron Hirsch colony, established by Jewish immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity in Canada. Her mother, Rose Bercovici, emigrated from Solitza, Romania, in 1930, leaving behind family and a world she would never see again. Together, they created a home grounded in love, Yiddishkeit, chesed, and unwavering Jewish pride.
Raised initially in Dysart, Saskatchewan, and later in Melville, Karen grew up surrounded by family, Jewish tradition, and a close-knit prairie Jewish community that remained central to her identity throughout her life. She spoke often and lovingly of those formative years and carried their values with her always.
As a young woman, she moved to Winnipeg, where she built a new chapter of her life with her best friend Shirley Anne Teplitsky Z”L and soon met the love of her life, Peter who was a devoted husband to the very last moments. They married in 1970 and together built a home filled with warmth, laughter, resilience, ahavat Yisrael, and unconditional love.
She was a fiercely devoted mother who believed deeply in the limitless potential of her children. Her love, encouragement, and strength shaped every aspect of their lives. She taught her family to be proud Jews, to carry themselves with dignity and confidence, and never to fear adversity. Her support was constant, her standards high, and her love unwavering.
Karen had an unique gift to make people feel seen and special. She was incredibly warm and kind and would never miss an opportunity to take time to engage with everyone she encountered each in a unique and personal way sharing support and kindness with everyone she met. She saw the uniqueness in all of humanity in a fashion that is so incredibly rare.
In 2001 and 2004, she welcomed a cherished daughter-in-law Karly and son-in law Kevin into the family. To her they were simply her children. She loved them with the same depth and constancy. In 2004 she embraced what would become one of the great joys of her life: becoming “Bobbie.” Nothing brought her greater happiness than her grandchildren. She adored each of them uniquely and completely, delighting in their personalities, interests, accomplishments, and everyday moments. From Shabbos dinners and movie nights to family trips in Spain and Costa Rica and Israel, Disneyland adventures, and countless chaggim and seders celebrated together, she created memories that will remain treasured forever.
Karen lived with extraordinary Jewish pride and a profound love for her people. Her life embodied resilience, humour, love and devotion to family. She remained deeply connected to her roots, her upbringing, and the traditions she inherited and passed forward.
Even in her final months, she continued to bring her family together through shared travels, laughter, conversations, and moments of closeness that are now cherished gifts. Though her illness came suddenly and heartbreakingly, the love she gave over a lifetime remains enduring and immeasurable.
She leaves behind a heartbroken but deeply grateful family: her beloved husband Peter; her children Sarah (Kevin) and Jonathon (Karly); her treasured grandchildren Isabella Rose, Hugh, Carsyn, Ryann, Cole, Ty, and Sydney; extended family; lifelong friends; and all those whose lives were enriched by her warmth, strength, wisdom, and kindness.
Her family wishes to express profound gratitude to the many relatives, friends, caregivers, and members of the community who supported them with love, compassion, prayers, and acts of kindness during her illness.
Tehei nishmatah tzrurah bitzror hachayim — may the soul of Chaya Tova bat Raisel v’Calman be bound in the bonds of eternal life.
May her memory forever be a blessing to her family, her friends, and all of Klal Yisrael.
Obituaries
DAVID H. DIAMOND
David H. Diamond, born on April 8, 1929, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at the age of 97.
Dave grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State University. He proudly served in the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
In 1955, he married Miriam, and together they shared more than 70 years of devotion, partnership, and love.
Dave was a proud and loving father to Sharon (Hillel) and Aubie (Susan); a cherished grandfather to Josh (Samantha), Azriel (Carrie), Daniel (Jenn), Yael (Yoel), and Noah (Tali); and a beloved great-grandfather to 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom are his treasured legacy.
David excelled in his business ventures and was highly regarded and respected by all who knew and worked with him as a man of unwavering integrity.
The family extends enduring gratitude to the staff on Weinberg 3 at the Simkin Centre, who cared for Dave with exceptional love, kindness, and compassion.
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
Donations in David’s memory may be made to the Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund through the Jewish Foundation at 204-477-7520.

