Obituaries
Mary Benarroch November 11, 1930 – May 29, 202321 Cheshvan 5961 – 9 Sivan 5783
Peacefully and surrounded by her family, Mary Benarroch z”l passed away at the age of 92 on Monday, May 29, 2023 (9th day of Sivan, 5783). Mary is predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Salomon Benarroch, parents Yamin Muyal and Rachma (Bensoussan), and sister, Esther Levy. Mary is survived by her children Rabbi Yossi (Elana Carrol), Rabbi Yamin (Rivka Ohayon), Michael (Kim Bailey), and Albert (Brenlee Sucharov), siblings Mojluf Muyal (Mary), Anita Muyal (Mojluf z”l), Moses Muyal (Darcy z”l), fifteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.
Mary was born in Casablanca, Morocco in 1930 and moved to Tangier, Morocco at a young age where she was raised and closely connected to Jewish life. The vibrancy of the cosmopolitan Tangier and its tightknit Jewish community permeated her family life. As a young woman, Mary worked at a woman’s clothing boutique, Fifth Avenue, which sold the height of Western fashions. She met her soulmate in the shy and gentle Salomon and were married on September 15, 1954. Children soon followed – twins Yossi and Yamin in 1957, and Michael in 1959. Life for Jews in Morocco was generally positive, until Arab-Jewish tensions began to slowly escalate following the birth of the State of Israel. With the massive exodus of Moroccan Jews in the late 1950’s thru early 1960’s, Mary and Salomon made the big move and set off for Canada in 1963. First by ship, aboard the Queen Frederica to Halifax, and then by train, they settled in Winnipeg, with three young children in tow. Soon came the arrival of their youngest, Albert, in 1964. Mary was the consummate homemaker, creating a strong Jewish home built on the core values and principles of love, respect, total devotion to husband, and children.
In her early years in Canada, Mary was a devoted homemaker preserving the Sephardic traditions of Morocco, while also learning the nuances of Ashkenaz recipes from her newfound community. Devotion to the family home and the cycles of Jewish life were at the centre of Mary’s life – with Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and all fast days, observed to the highest degree.
In the mid 1970’s, Mary started a home daycare providing much needed childcare for many children, something needed by many orthodox parents. She had a natural rapport and magnetism with young children, something that she turned into a career over the next 30 years, first at home, then as an Assistant at Talmud Torah’s nursery and kindergarten, and finally at Aleph-Bet Daycare.
Mary was the consummate aunt and grandmother to her many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She maintained regular contact with many of them, even though they were all over the world. Mary was an active member in Jewish community life, both at synagogue and in the Winnipeg Chapter of Emunah Women, where she made countless, lifelong friends. She was a second mother to many of her children’s friends, ensuring that the home was always open and welcoming to all. As many of those friends have attested, the Jewishness and warmth of the Benarroch home made lasting lifelong impacts on many of them.
Mary spent her final years at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, whose care and compassion cannot be measured. Though her final years were ravaged by dementia, Mary never forgot her family, her many early memories, or her gregarious social skills. The ultimate testament to Mary’s legacy is the unwavering support she afforded all her children and her investment in their educations – all of whom excelled in their respective fields, are community leaders, and devoted to Jewish life. As she would often say, even at the end “All my children are educated.”
Loved by all and deeply missed, Mary’s funeral took place at the Chesed Shel Emes, 1023 Main Street, on Tuesday May 30, 2023, officiated by close family friend, Rabbi Charles Grysman of Toronto. Pallbearers were Mary’s grandsons, Aden Benarroch, Keenan Benarroch, Netanel Benarroch, Zion Benarroch, and nephews Yamin Muyal and Aaron Benarroch. Interment followed at the Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the Adas Yeshurun- Herzlia Synagogue (204-489-6262) or Jewish Child and Family Service (204-477-7430).
Obituaries
EARL (ARIE) PERLMUTTER
We are saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and cousin Arie Perlmutter at the age of 77. Arie died peacefully after a brief but difficult struggle with cancer on April 12, 2025.
He was predeceased by his parents, Hymie and Thelma and by his beloved sister Sheila.
Arie developed and maintained many close friends throughout his life. He attended St. John’s High in the 60s and kept in touch with many of his classmates. He began his working life as a delivery driver for City Bread. This was followed by a career of over 20 years at Advance Electronics, where he was a well-respected and expert sales associate. He hung out at North End Sals, for virtually his entire life, discussing (arguing? kibitzing?) with many people too numerous to name, the issues of the day but especially about sports, and most especially about baseball.
In his retired life, he was a member of Larters Golf Club, golfing with much enthusiasm and passion, if not prowess. Arie donated to and volunteered at the Winnipeg Humane Society for many years.
His family and friends would like to thank the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital whose compassionate and caring attention to Arie in his final days was truly a great comfort to him.
In keeping with Arie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral will be held.
Obituaries
IRENE MARANTZ (nee KATZ) November 28-1930 – March 30, 2025
Our mother, Irene , passed peacefully in her own home at the age of 94. Irene was predeceased by: her parents, Abe and Sally Katz , her husband; Cyril Marantz, sister Clarice Rosenbloom, brother Max Katz, sister Bernice Grant, her sons-in-law Mike Langer and Bruce Cook
Irene is survived by her children: Jeff Marantz and Barb, Debra Marantz, Susan Marantz, Ellen Marantz, and brother Harvey Katz; her grandchildren, Sarah Marantz Lindenberg and Ira, David Marantz and Olivia; her great-grandchildren Rose, Izabella and Max; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Our mother was born in Fort Francis, Ontario. After meeting and marrying my father Cyril she moved to Winnipeg. Mom loved that she moved to Winnipeg and had this large Jewish community for which she became an integral part of and it became a major part of her life.
Once her youngest daughter Ellen was in school, she went to work at the family business : Marantz and son, as a bookkeeper, and worked there until her early 70s.
Irene love to go to synagogue and be a part of Rosh Pina congregation. She was also a member of the sisterhood and was very involved in the activities in and around the synagogue. She was so grateful to learn Hebrew and to be able to participate in the Shabbat and other holiday services.
She spent every summer since the birth of her eldest son Jeff, at Winnipeg Beach.
She loved the beach riding her bike, going for long walks, meeting with her beach friends, playing cards and sharing good meals.
Irene was a kind soul.
She never had a negative word to say about anybody and nobody ever had anything but a kind word to say about her.
Her family was the light of her life. She encouraged her children to pursue their dreams and be the best they could be.
She was a loving and caring grandmother to her grandchildren, and her home was always opened to them, her friends, her children’s friends and even to strangers.
Funeral was held on April 2
Pall bearers were : David Marantz, Ira Lindenberg, Allan Marantz, Ari Marantz, Stephen Rosenbloom, Hartley Katz. Honorary pall bearer: Josh Marantz
Obituaries
SYLVIA BASS NOVEMBER 19, 1924 – MARCH 14, 2025
On March 14,2025, after a very long life and a brief illness Sylvia Bass (nee Breitman) passed away peacefully. She is survived by son Ken, daughter Robyn Lerner (Neal) and grandchildren Jordyn (Tina), Shea (Anna) and Blake (Jacqueline). She is predeceased by her husband Harold and her four siblings (Alvin, Joseph, Belle and Shirley).
Sylvia was born on November 19, 1924, and had her North End Winnipeg childhood shaped by the rigours of the Great Depression. When the warehouse that employed her father went out of business in 1931 her mother, a seamstress, regularly worked late into the night to keep the family from destitution.
In 1942 Sylvia graduated from Isaac Newton High School with an A average and entered the world of work as a receptionist and secretary. In the pre- Dictaphone era this was a challenging vocation, requiring mastery of the arcane language of Gregg and Pitman shorthand. Her employers included Dr. Art Lerner and a forerunner agency of Jewish Child and Family Services.
In 1948 Sylvia met her life partner Harold Bass, an auto mechanic and auto body shop proprietor. After they married, at the fashionable Marlborough Hotel, she devoted herself to providing a home for her husband and children -Ken, born in 1950 and Robyn, in 1960. Her responsibilities increased in the Fall of 1966 when Harold decided on a radical career change, from the auto trades to government employment as a welfare worker.This meant attending an eleven month college course, available only in Brandon.
Sylvia was always sociable, enjoying the company of her Garden City neighbours, her many friends and her large extended family. For many years she was active in Pioneer Women (Na’amat), and a memorable 1971 trip to Israel strengthened her connection with the homeland. She and Harold also travelled to Chicago and Florida, as well as several trips to Las Vegas, where she indulged the Breitman family taste for gambling.
In their later years Sylvia and Harold focused their attention on their grandchildren, letting everyone know of their many and various accomplishments. Unfortunately, in 2009 Harold suffered serious health problems and was no longer able to live at home. He died the next year. Because her natural sociability made living alone out of the question Sylvia moved to the Portsmouth Retirement Residence, where she was a vital part of the community for the next sixteen years.
The funeral took place at the Chesed Shel Emes on Sunday, March 16 with interment at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery, Rabbi Anibal Mass presiding. Pallbearers were Jordyn Lerner, Shea Lerner, Blake Lerner, Harrison Katz, Ramy Penner and Benji Winestock. Neal Lerner, David Davis and Ken Bass were honorary pallbearers. Our thanks to the caring staff at the Portsmouth, JTRC Care Services and the Grace Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Terry Babick, who cared for Sylvia for many years and helped her to reach 100.
Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to do so to an Israeli – linked charity of their choice.
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