Obituaries
MARGOT ESTHER ROSENBAUM January 18, 1925 – January 19, 2022
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother and our family matriarch who passed peacefully after a brief illness.
Margot is mourned by her son Harry Rosenbaum (Hope), daughter Ruth Stargardter (Allan), her grandchildren, Trisha (James), Michael (Jennifer), Geoffrey (Robi), Matthew and Shawn and six great-grandchildren; Ethan, Keira, Mya, Zoey, Nathan and Syeira; her brother Gilbert Walter and many nieces, nephews and their families. Mom was predeceased by our father, her loving husband, David, her brothers, Hans and Werner, sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, as well as 152 members of her family who perished in the Holocaust.
Mom was born in Berlin, Germany. She was a devoted daughter and sister. She loved many things including learning, being with friends as well as going to synagogue with her parents. Mom was especially inspired by the education she received from her mentor, Rabbi Regina Jonas, the first Jewish female Rabbi. Her life changed drastically during the reign of Adolph Hitler, beginning with being identified as a Jewish student and ridiculed and dragged out of school by her hair and forced into slave labour, at the age of 13.
During the horrors of the Holocaust Mom was blessed to meet and fall in love with our father, David. Eventually, after the war the family immigrated to Winnipeg to start a new life. They had many dreams and wishes which they were determined to fulfil together.
Our parents arrived in Canada penniless. Over the next seventy five years they worked hard to build a life that could only be described as a magical romantic fairy tale. You rarely saw one without the other. Watching them dance with that special sparkle in their eyes demonstrated their love for each other. Dad was mom’s knight in shining armor right to the very end; when his long sleep finally took away his shield. Mom had to adapt to the loss of her love and her protector.
We were mom’s shiny diamonds, sometimes to be admired from afar, to be cherished always but at times too scary to hold. We know we shone brightly in her eyes. We hope we brought her the happiness and the pride and joy she so deserved. We learned many life lessons from mom, including that to survive you must be strong and determined. The mother-daughter connection never ever faltered and never waned. This connection will never be lost.
An extra-special recognition is to be extended to her son-in-law, Allan Stargardter, for all the times he placed our mother’s needs ahead of his own. May the Lord bless him for his kindness.
Mom will be missed by family in Israel, New York, California and Germany. She will also be missed by countless close and treasured friends, co-workers who became like family and everyone privileged enough to have met her and had her in their lives.
Sorry, your daily/weekly phone calls have ended unless she can arrange for a long distance plan, but know she is watching over you and listening for the latest scoop.
Graveside services were officiated by Al Benarroch at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery with pallbearers Allan Stargardter, Robbie Waldman, and grandchildren Trisha, Michael, Geoffrey & Shawn. Honourary pallbearers were grandson Matthew Stargardter, Cantor Gerry Daien, Skye Kneller, Murray Greenfield, Allan Kiesler and James Brown. If so desired, donations in memory of our mother can be made to the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, Humane Society of Winnipeg for the care of furry friends in need of care or a charity of choice.
Special thanks to Sandy Slonosky, Dr. K. Heinrichs, Dr. J. Johnston, Dr. J. Anang, Dr. A. Kravetsky and the staff at the Grace Hospital, for their exceptional care and compassion, and a special thank you to her adopted family at the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue, Adeena Lungen and staff at WJCFS and friends at Gwen Secter.
Mom, we will never say good-bye because it always made you cry. Life will never be the same without you. We know you are with dad now. You will both live on in our hearts forever.
Please, all remember this proud little German girl of a Jewish upbringing who stood strong for what she believed in.
“She did it her way.”
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.