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
ROSALYN GOLFMAN (née LINHART)
Rosalyn Golfman (née Linhart) passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Winnipeg to Jack and Clara Linhart, Roz and her brother Sam grew up with a deep appreciation for education, music, and community. Her father, along with her mother who was an accomplished singer and performer in Jewish plays and on radio, instilled in her a deep appreciation for both hard work and family traditions. The tragedy of the Holocaust, which claimed the majority of her mother’s immediate family, profoundly shaped Rosalyn’s outlook on life, nurturing in her a strong sense of identity, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish heritage.
Growing up in a home filled with music, the aromas of traditional cooking, and the warmth of family celebrations, Roz developed a lifelong connection to her roots. Her devotion to the Jewish community continued throughout her life as she volunteered and chaired various programs at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and served as a member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Education was one of Rosalyn’s greatest passions. She earned her B.A., M.Ed., a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Masters in Family Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, Roz worked for 43 years dedicating her career to helping others. Rosalyn also served as President of the Manitoba Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Chair of its Ethics Committee and taught at various times at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, and at Red River Community College.
Rosalyn’s greatest devotion was to her husband of more than 60 years, Charles (Chuck) Golfman. Together they traveled the globe and shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Their mutual curiosity led them to explore new places, lectures and forums, always seeking to expand their understanding of people and the world around them. Roz and Chuck raised three children – Jeff (Helen Huang), Lisa (Steve Kroft) and Jill (Mark Kantor). Her grandchildren – Angela, Nathan, Alex and Maya – were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them, whether during family dinners, at her beloved Clearwater Bay, or on family trips. Rosalyn’s brother Sam (Judy) was a constant source of support, and the times Roz and Chuck spent with Sam and Judy in Phoenix and Aspen were always highlights for her. Family events with nieces, nephews, her numerous cousins and other relatives were also very special for Roz.
Rosalyn will be remembered for her compassion, intellect and unwavering devotion to family, her friends, and her Jewish faith. The values she instilled in her family will endure through them.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported Roz with gentleness, dignity and love. Thank you also to Dr. Marshall Pitz, Kim Paradoski and the caring and talented doctors and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba and Grace Hospital who assisted Rosalyn and our family during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rosalyn and Chuck Golfman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/