Obituaries
MALKE SHORE May 12, 1928 – January 8, 2021
It is with enormous sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Malke Shore, age 92, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.
Malke was born to Moishe and Laika Katz in Miedzyrzec, Poland and travelled with her family by boat to Canada at the age of two. Her family settled in Winnipeg. Despite tough times, Malke was in the first graduating class of the I.L. Peretz school, where she sang in the school choir, followed by William White School and St. John’s Tech High School. Lacking the funds for a teacher’s college education, Malke chose to enter the retail world, starting first in bookkeeping and then in sales. She was a member of Hashomer Hatzair youth group, but declined making Aliyah (moving to Israel) to care for her blind mother, as well as her siblings Benny and Beatrice (Bea).
In 1951, Malke married the love of her life and her forever partner, Jack Shore, and moved with him to Canora and then Tisdale, Saskatchewan, working side by side with him at Shore & Son’s general clothing and shoe store. She was a strong participant in community life, eventually becoming the president of both the Kinette Club and the Hospital Auxiliary. Building a Jewish home was important to Malke. She ordered kosher meat to be shipped to Tisdale from Winnipeg and participated in the activities of the Melfort synagogue, including a baby naming for her son and a Bat Mitzvah for her daughter. In 1970, the family moved to Winnipeg, where she again collaborated with Jack to run Maljac Fashions. She later managed Chantal, an exclusive boutique in Eaton Place, and eventually managed the women’s plus-size department at Eaton’s downtown. All of her customers loved and trusted her. She worked her whole life, an amazing example of a working mother in an era when this was not yet the norm.
Malke loved her husband dearly, including travelling with Jack and celebrating all events with him; they were a model of love and partnership through good times and bad. When he had to be in a nursing home, she visited him every single day.
Malke was everyone’s mother, grandmother, friend. She was involved in every event for her children and grandchildren, and mothered her children’s friends as well. She lived for her children’s happiness. She was so proud of Tsiporah being a doctor and mother of Bernie, authoring a book while also working. Malke was thrilled beyond belief when she had her own grandchildren; she babysat them, fed them, spoiled them, and loved them unconditionally. She had so much pride in everything that they did and still do. She followed Leanne to her universities, witnessing not only her graduation but her dorms, apartments, and the Yale Law Library. She visited Joshua’s fraternity house and toured Atlanta with him for several days to celebrate his college graduation. She was thrilled when Julian introduced her to great-grandson Bentley, and had chocolate bars for Bentley whenever he came to her apartment. She baked and cooked with Luca and had good times during their many visits. Malke made her grandchildren feel special with unconditional support; if they were happy, she was too.
Malke was also a true mother to her children’s partners. She loved Tsiporah’s husband Jeff as if he were her own son. She and he had their own relationship, their own inside jokes. She was always welcoming to Bernie’s partner, Jackie. She had a way to just make people feel comfortable.
Malke was also there for all her friends; always sending Jack with baking or cooking to anyone needing it; for illness, for parties, for any reason at all. She cared for her sister when she became ill and managed everything for her. Her nieces and nephews were like her own children. She mothered her special friend, Marie Lavoie, as if she was her own daughter. Everyone who met her enjoyed her warmth.
Malke was incredibly social and could strike up a conversation with anyone. She was a Board Member of the Maple Leaf Chapter of B’nai Brith Women. Without judgment or reservation she supported all those around her. She made a point to get to know every single person she met, and to shower them in warmth, from her closest relatives to the person behind her in line at the grocery store. She was effortless in building community, and in caring for each individual person thoughtfully and diligently.
Malke loved being independent; hosting friends and relatives in her apartment and going everywhere she wanted via the bus, handi transit, and her special driver, Jeff Aboodi. She was so proud when she learned to use an iPad and for years communicated via Facebook and text message with her family and friends. She participated in every event at the Simkin Center; from bowling to bingo to Shabbat Services, she did it all.
Malke leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Dr. Tsiporah Shore (Rabbi Jeffrey Gale); her son Bernie Shore (and partner Jackie Moore-Bunney); her grandchildren Leanne, Joshua, Julian and Luca; her great-grandson Bentley; nephews and nieces, Zvi Gordon, Saul Jacobson, Sybil Stokoloff, Akivah Starkman, Gary Starkman, Roni Katz, David Katz, Ilana Katz-Morstead, and their spouses and children. She also leaves to mourn numerous cousins and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Moishe and Laika Katz; her sister Beatrice (Bea) Starkman (Herb); her brother Ben Katz (Avivah), her sisters-in-law, Razel Jacobson (Sammy) and Ruth Gordon (Sam); and nephews, Don Gordon and Tom Morstead.
The family would like to thank Drs. Turnly Wong, Clarence Khoo, Gregg Eschun, and Richa Tandon for their outstanding care and kindness. The family also extends sincere thanks to Corinna, Brenda, Tessie, Jan, Marilyn, Lori, and the entire nursing staff and health care aides of Weinberg 2, the many volunteers of the Simkin Center, Josh who facilitated recreation and FaceTime, and the entire Simkin Centre staff. Thanks to Jaafar (Jeff) Aboodi, Malke’s driver, and to Marie Lavoie and Cycelia Lazarowich for always being there for her. And thanks to all friends and relatives for their unending support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Center; the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada – Manitoba; the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; or to a charity of your choice.
Malke sent ripples of love and kindness throughout this world, through the many people she met, and the many people who were able to bask in the light she spread. It was her joy and her love of community that allowed her to live so fully. Tehizichronalivracha – may her memory be for a blessing!
Obituaries
BRENLEE WERNER
Brenlee was born on August 30, 1935 and died December 11, 2024.
Brenlee, so named as family legend has it, because her mother, Sarah Brotman wanted Brenda and her father, Ernest Brotman, wanted Leah, and so the original Brenlee was born. She grew up at 55 Bannerman the oldest of three extraordinary daughters including Caroline and Bonnie the youngest. Brenlee, the beautiful and talented 17-year-old, was spotted by a dashing neighbour, the handsome Nate Werner, and a lifelong love story was born. He said “I’m going to marry that girl” when spotted walking with her father. And he did.
She enrolled in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, in Interior Design and was crowned university Freshie Queen at a gala event. She was renowned for her beauty and style. When she moved to New York where Nate had his ophthalmology residency, she completed her design degree at the Pratt Institute.
Brenlee and Nate travelled the world together, well before such journeys were popular; to Japan, to Europe and to Israel after the six-day war. So began their dedication to Israel, and her drive to move her family there for a sabbatical year in 1972. They were constant companions, on winter vacations in Palm Springs and in the summer at Falcon Lake.
Brenlee was a determined feminist who always worked outside the home at a time when this was not the norm. She had a passion for business. She became a Real Estate Broker and Developer. It was her Highgate Project where she was really a trailblazer: the first in Winnipeg to renovate a heritage building into condos. She also developed Banbury Court, Crescent Court and Bonaventure Village. She was a consummate professional respected by contractors, engineers and the architects with whom she worked. She was the property manager of the Western Canada Lottery Building for 25 years where she was a tough lease negotiator, dedicated to her tenants’ concerns.
Brenlee had a great zest for life: she was a healthy lifestyle personified. Some days she could hardly be seen behind the piles of newspapers, New Yorker magazines, the Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She loved intellectual pursuits, and was an avid reader. She was intelligent and kind.
She was very proud of her daughters, Janet and Shelley, and supported them both in their careers. Shelley, also an interior designer shared an office with her for many years which allowed them to collaborate easily on business projects. She supported Janet’s pursuit of fine art and helped facilitate her years of education in Baltimore and at Yale. She took great pleasure in giving visitors a tour of her apartment, showing her mother’s and Janet’s paintings and books.
With her grandsons, her playful spirit came out, whether baking with Lewis or dancing in the kitchen with Jonah she had the gift of being really present when she was with you. She saw you and knew just what you needed from her. She had more energy than all of us combined. She was a bright shining star, our touchstone, and the heart of our family.
She will be forever missed by daughters Janet and partner Adrian Norvid, Shelley and husband Michael Draycott, grandsons Lewis Robinovitch and wife Robyn Cambruzzi, Jonah Simmonds and great-grandson Zev Robinovitch.
The funeral was held Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Chesed Shel Emes. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and gave a fitting tribute to Brenlee.
The family gives thanks to Brenlee’s caregivers for their love and for making her a part of their families: Lhyn Vinan, Melisa Caluza, Ellen May Bautista, Edna Maula and Leo Policarpio. Special thanks to Isabel Vieira who worked with her for over 20 years.
Donations may be made in Brenlee’s honour to JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Services) 204-477-7430.
Obituaries
RIVA-LEE MCWILLIAM
It is with broken hearts we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Wife and Baba, Riva Lee McWilliam (Rudelier), suddenly, after a difficult year of health challenges. Survived by her loving husband, Scott, her absolute other half, high school sweethearts of 56 years, and married 47 years, and her three daughters, Beth Jacob (Jonathan), Rachel and Megan, and grandsons Kiva and Shale Jacob. She is also survived by her sister Rashi (Harold) and brother Nelson as well as nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews plus the extended McWilliam family and her adoring crew of close girlfriends. As a young woman, Riva lost her own mother and father Ray and Meyer Rudelier, too soon.
Riva was born February 3, 1954. She would tell you she was “born in St Boniface” but really, she came from the North End of Winnipeg. The baby of her family, and the apple of her dad’s eye. During her childhood, her family migrated south to Montrose Street. She attended Herzlia for a year before Montrose School and Grant Park. In those years, that crew of close girlfriends established and grew tight-knit and remained that way all her life. In 1968 Scott moved in across the street. Riva was a beautiful hippy with the most beautiful hair, and so she naturally caught his attention- the actual boy next door. He waved at her through the window, and the rest is history.
She went to university and earned a degree in social work, followed by a brief career in the field before she married Scott and had their first daughter, Beth, followed by Rachel. From the time she became a mother, her daughters were the permanent centres of her universe. She made Beth and Rachel the happiest sisters ever when she gave birth to a giant bundle of joy, Megan. She drove a million carpools, took daughters to million lessons, asked a million questions, ran a million errands, and made a million meals. She took us out for a million ice cream cones in the summer, and a million more beach days to escape the city heat. She was the ultimate caretaker, Riva’s absolute purpose in this life was to be a mother to all those she loved.
Scott and Riva opened a store together in the early aughts, an exciting venture to take as a couple, albeit short-lived. She went back to work at Canadian Footwear and worked faithfully there in the Foot Health Centre for over 20 years.
She stood by her beshert- her intended- Scott though thick and thin. Riva was an unshakeable matriarch. Steadfast in her devotion to support her family through sickness and health, richer and poorer, better or worse. She weathered every storm with an impossible strength. Later in life, she reached out to offer support and understanding to other families struggling through many of the same challenges we’ve faced. She rooted her family in a foundation of profound love and commitment, and we honour her by putting those values first in everything.
In Riva’s memory we ask that any donations be directed to Jewish Child and Family Services, earmarked for addictions and mental health support, or to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, that brought Kuma into her life.
“To love another person
is to see the face of god.”
This is the kind of love that Mom, in her way, gave tirelessly to her world.
Obituaries
SID SCHWARTZMAN
We lost our dear father and grandfather on Thursday December 19, 2024. Sid passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side. Born on July 31, 1930, in Winnipeg, Sid was the son of Luis and Anne Schwartzman and brother to Herb Schwartzman. Sid lived a long and fulfilling life, devoted to his family, friends, and community.
He leaves to mourn, his children, Lisa (Joel) and Neil (Gina), and Grandsons, Noah and Eli, plus his many friends.
Sid was blessed with an outgoing personality, and he exuded spirit, humor, loyalty, and honesty. Sid had a great passion for delicatessens. He loved a corned beef sandwich, party sandwiches, a butter tart, and a “nice fruit cup.” He was the first to take you to a hole in the wall for a great burger or hot dog. Then top it all off with an ice cream cone from McDonalds.
Sid graduated from St. Johns high school and subsequently started a career in sales. Sid spent 30 years as a sales manager for Richlu manufacturing. Sid loved working and was very lucky to find meaning and purpose there. Sid retired at the age of 87 which was a difficult but reasonable choice
It was through his career in sales that he met Marsha. After a short courtship, they fell in love and married. They greatly enjoyed their lives together and spent their time going to the theatre, symphony, travelling, and spending time with their many wonderful friends. They were married for 50 years.
Sid will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marsha Schwartzman Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A funeral will be held graveside at Sharrey Zedek cemetery at 11am on Sunday, Decmeber 22.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login