Obituaries
MARSHALL STUART KNELLER
With profound sorrow we announce the sudden passing of Marshall Stuart Kneller on February 20th at the age of 64.
Marshall will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his beloved wife, Laya, children, Kyle & Carol Kneller, Gabi & Benji Winestock, and Skye & fiancé Cameron Poitras; sister Sandi Kneller; most cherished grandchildren Alex & Maddy; and father-in-law Ted Muller. Also left to mourn are extended family, friends and much loved machatunim Paul & Jackie Winestock. Marshall was predeceased by his parents Gordon & Edith; daughter Jada; and mother-in-law Marie.
Only one word is necessary to describe the life and legacy of Marshall: Chesed, the Hebrew word for kindness, which bears a sense of devotional piety and mercy towards humanity. It was that sense of duty and devotion which dictated every aspect of Marshall’s life of selfless service. He was guided by the principles of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.
Marshall was a loyal and dedicated employee of the Canada Revenue Agency for over 25 years, where he established many life-long and treasured friendships. The respect with which he treated his colleagues was returned to him ten-fold. He was equally devoted to his ‘second family’ at the Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue, where he served as President for the past 20 years. It was a sanctuary for his soul. He sat at an altar of tradition and worshipped the congregation’s values. On his last day of life, Marshall rejoiced at being able to return to his beloved synagogue, and being surrounded by the congregation he served and loved. He even stayed afterwards to help prepare pastry packages for our secluded seniors. That was just one day in a lifetime filled with quiet, often anonymous generosity and refreshing humility.
Forty-eight years ago, Marshall met the love of his life, Laya, at the tender age of 15. It’s a story of true love, based on mutual respect and support. Their love is one we all pray for, but too few are granted. They exemplified to their friends and family what resilience through love looks like. They built a foundation of family together, one strong enough to withstand hardship and loss, perhaps the most devastating was the death of their daughter, Jada. Through his own grief and darkness, Marshall managed to support his fellow mourners with quiet compassion. He brought light through laughter. And laughter there was during family gatherings, trips to Vegas, lifecycle events and countless rendezvous for hot and sour soup at his favourite vegetarian restaurant Delicious.
Of all the hats he wore, none suited him more than dad and Zaida. He was a source of endless empathy, even for his fur-babies. Marshall encouraged his children and grandchildren’s personal passions with unwavering support. He did it all with such grace, patience and humour. He was fiercely protective of his younger sister, Sandi, and their mutual devotion solidified their special bond.
To carry on Marshall’s legacy, an endowment fund has been established through the Jewish Foundation for the perpetual support of Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue. Donations may be made directly to the synagogue.
Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet.
May his memory be a blessing.
We love you, Marshall. Forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| 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/
Obituaries
RAY SCHNOOR
June 13, 1927 – May 5, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Ray Schnoor, on May 5, 2026, just short of her 99 birthday.
Ray was predeceased by her husband of almost 71 years, Toby Schnoor. He passed away in December 2022, and she never really recovered from that loss. Ray was the last of her generation. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rose Kass, her sister, Betty Rice, and her brothers, Sidney and Jack Cass. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Schnoor (Bruce) and Carla Nepon (Jack), her grandchildren, Taryn and David Nepon and many nieces and nephews. Regrettably, she did not live to see David’s upcoming marriage to Nicola.
Ray was completely devoted to her family; nothing was more important to her. She loved her family with all her heart and took immense pride in her children and grandchildren; she delighted in their accomplishments. She kept a traditional Jewish home and made sure that no one ever left her table hungry. She was an excellent cook and baker, even though she often wouldn’t eat her own creations because of her many (often inexplicable) food aversions. For decades, her world revolved around the weekly Friday Night Dinner, where all the family gathered. She planned it, made it, served it, reviewed it and then started again.
Less traditionally (for her time), Ray also worked outside the home, part-time, as a bookkeeper. She did that well into her 80s.
The family is grateful for the care Mom received at the Simkin Centre and for the loving dedication of her caregivers, Lisa and Terry. The last few years were difficult for Mom but we choose to remember the good times.
A graveside funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on May 8, 2026. Pallbearers were Jeffrey Schnoor, Jack Nepon, David Nepon, Kevin Rice, Randy Schnoor and Neil Stern. Larry Rice was honourary pallbearer. The family is grateful to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and shared the family’s memories and grief. The kindness of family and friends has been a great comfort.
Like Toby, Ray leaves a gap that cannot be filled, and memories that we will cherish forever. These few words cannot begin to capture the pain of our loss. We love you always, Mom, and miss you terribly.
Obituaries
LIN JOSEPH ROSENBAUM
October 17, 1952 – April 18,2026
It is with great sadness that the family marks the passing of Lin, loving son, uncle, great-uncle, brother and brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed.
Lin completed his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Manitoba. He eventually took and completed apprenticeship as an electrician and worked as a licensed electrician with his father Harry. He took pride in his work and craft and assisting his father. He was greatly valued by their customers .
Lin was adventurous , traveling throughout Europe. He was a kibbutznik, and always spoke fondly of time spent in Israel. He was an avid runner, and had participated competitively in the Boston Marathon .
He made friends well and remained committed to volunteerism with community arts , including the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. He showed great empathy to others, reflected in his work with Mood Disorders Manitoba.
Lin believed in the worth of all persons and saw the good in others. His best nature illuminated the best nature in others; to a brother, son, friend, uncle and great-uncle, always.
