Obituaries
MAX HOCHMAN February 18, 1922 – January 28, 2021
It is with profound sadness that the family of Max Hochman announces his passing on January 28,2021, in Winnipeg. He was three weeks shy of his 99th birthday.
Left to mourn his passing are his children Jeanette (Norm) Addaway, Sid (Andrea) Hochman, and Irv (Sharon) Hochman of Toronto ; his grandchildren Michael and Melissa Addaway, Lana Hochman, Faren (Ari Sniderman) Hochman of Edmonton, Jordan and Evan Hochman of Toronto, his great-grandson Noam Sniderman, his sister Ettie Slotnick of California, and many nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.
Max was predeceased by his wife Sara, parents, Hymie and Sarah, brother Leon, sister Anne Koster and step-mother Etta.
Max was born in Poland and emigrated to Saskatchewan. He had a difficult childhood as his mother died when he was only 11 years old. His younger brother was ill and passed away 6 years later. At 16, Max moved to Winnipeg to work. During WWII he enlisted in the Air Force, and was stationed, as he would say , “overseas” in Prince Edward Island as a morse code operator. From a young age Max learned the importance of resilience and the value of hardwork. He worked in sales at Allan Lyone for 40 years.
Max married Sara (Raber) and they were married for 56 years before her passing. Jewish values and family were an integral part of his life. He instilled these values in his children and grandchildren. He attended minyan at Etz Chayim (previously Rosh Pina) regularly and often arrived before the doors were opened.
Max was never a rich man, but what he valued most was his time. He gave it generously wherever he could. He was a long-time volunteer for Folklorama, Meals on Wheels, the Sharon Home, and the Health Sciences Centre gift shop. Max was fiercely independent and would rather do for others than have them do something for him. He lived independently until December 2020 and even drove a car until he was 97 years old. Max attended weekly programs at the Gwen Secter and the Stay Young program at the Rady Centre. With his friend Helen May Shrom he enjoyed many wonderful times socializing, particularly with his dear friends Chuck and Lil Frohlich. Max loved participating in and watching sports. He was a member of the YMHA for many years, bowled, curled and played Senior’s baseball. He took great pride in his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He enjoyed attending activities of his children when they were growing up and that continued with his grandchildren. He was so excited when he became a great grandfather for the first time two years ago.
Max was a gentle, soft spoken, kind man who always greeted people with a smile. He made a positive impression on all who had a chance to meet him, even though he could not remember most of their names. When you look up mensch in the dictionary, you could very well see his picture. Max often seemed like the energizer bunny. You could say he “lived long and died young”. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services were held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on January 31, 2021. Special thank you to Rabbi Kliel Rose, Cantor Tracy Kasner, and all those who attended online shiva minyan services to honour Max.
Donations can be made to the Etz Chayim Synagogue, Gwen Secter or charity of your choice.
Obituaries
RITA TRITT
March 29, 1925 – February 22, 2025
Just a month before her 100th birthday, Rita passed away peacefully with family by her side. She was the last of her generation of the large Weidman family, one of the earliest Jewish families in Winnipeg. Growing up in Winnipeg, she attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from there. Rita was a very talented artist; she attended the Forum Art Institute for many, many years where she enjoyed the mentorship and camaraderie of fellow artists. She was proud of having sold several hundred pieces of her work over her time there.
Rita was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joe Tritt, in 1986. She is survived by her loving family, her children: Jacki and Sheldon Koven, Steven Tritt and Sharon Goszer Tritt; grandchildren: Lesley Koven and Eric Thomas, Mara Koven-Lapointe and Ryan Lapointe, Joseph Tritt and Shaun Castor; great-grandchildren: Ayla and Eli Thomas, and Kate Lapointe.
Funeral services were held on February 24, 2025. Rita’s family is grateful for the warm and attentive care of Sherryl and Sergio and all the staff on Weinberg 1 at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Rita lived for the last 3 years. If friends wish, a donation in Rita’s memory can be made to the Simkin Centre or the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ISABELLE BOOK
It is with sadness and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our family matriarch Isabelle Book. Izzy was born on November 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
She was predeceased by her parents Clara and Jacob Brownstein, her brother Walter, her sister Minnie Goldman, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother-in-law Noel and a fabulous group of women who shared a friendship that lasted decades.
She is survived by her 4 children, Warren and Faye Book, Marilyn and David Pressman, Jacqueline and Jory Stillwater and David and Elaine Book. She was a very proud Baba to Hilary Book, Deborah Book and Mike James, Laurie and Ginny Stillwater, Kayleigh and Barrett Ruggles, Adam Book and Gabe Bloomfield-Book and Seth Book and Amy Shore. She so enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of her great-grandchildren Hugo, Marcus, Reese, Maverick, Richie and Sullivan. She will also be greatly missed by her sister -in- law and dear friend Shirley Book.
Izzy had a great sense of humour and was often unable to get to the punchline of a joke because she was laughing so hard. She could be stubborn and strong minded. She would dig in her heels if she felt she was being pushed to make a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Izzy enjoyed time with family and friends but was also very comfortable with her own company.
Izzy knew what it meant to be a friend. She was a kind compassionate woman who cherished the people in her life and was always our biggest fan. Our mom was a quality human being who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Izzy lived by the Golden Rule. She lived a long, healthy life but remained seriously young at heart.
There are memories to last a lifetime, ones that we will keep close as we honour her memory. We were blessed to have her for as long as we did, strong, loving and sharp until almost the end. She modeled what it meant to live a good life. She also did it on her terms.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 9 at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at the Rosewood (Maple House) where she lived. She bonded with many of the wonderful people who cared and supported her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025
Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.
Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.
In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.
The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.
A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg. Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.
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