Obituaries
MENORAH WALDMAN
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Menorah Waldman on Wednesday, November 18, at the age of 95. Menorah lived a full and rich life, filled with family, friends, music, theatre, literature, Yiddishkeit and so much more.
Menorah leaves behind an extended clan of family and friends to celebrate her life and mourn her passing — her son Dovid and daughter Yona (Cam); grandchildren Louise (David), Sarah (Shawn), Marin (Sam), Charlotte (Jason) and Ryder; great-grandchildren Riel, Aliyah, Eva, Cassady and Cleo; and daughter-in-law Diane. The matriarch of the Waldman clan, she is also mourned by her nephews and nieces, her great-nieces and -nephews and many cousins. She also leaves her oldest and dearest friend, Jeanette. A sign of Menorah’s warm and welcoming nature was that her door was always open to everyone, and so the friends of all her kids and relations grew to know and love her too. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Sarah Gorvich, her son Aili; grandson Cassady; husband Bert; nieces Shira and Carol; and most of her long-time friends.
The only child of Charles and Sarah Gorvich, Menorah grew up in the North End, attending Machray and St. John’s before going to university, a privilege at the time. She remained an active intellectual all her life and an especially avid reader, usually juggling several books at once.
She and Bert married in August 1945 and several years later, bought their first house on Lansdowne east of Main. They moved to Woodcrest Drive in a new and growing section of Garden City in 1963, where, together, they continued to raise their three children Aili, Dovid and Yona, while supporting and working for many community organizations, including Habonim and Chevra Mishnayes Synagogue. Menorah was an active member of the North End Yiddish Folk Choir, Pioneer Women/Na’amat and other organizations. Her commitment to community was lifelong – she volunteered with the Fringe Festival, WSO, PTE, Jewish Child and Family Services and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre, where she also served as Chair of the Board for a number of years.
A feminist before the word existed, Menorah worked most of her life, retiring in her 60s to take up a new career as a certified fitness instructor, an accreditation she maintained until age 89. She regularly taught aquafit, aerobics and weight classes to seniors and others, in addition to swimming almost daily. She taught at the downtown Y, at the North End Centennial Pool, at Heidelberg Villa on Edmonton, and Lions’ Place on Portage. We believe she was the oldest contract employee of the City of Winnipeg! She also began swimming competitively at the Masters Level in her 70s, participating in many Manitoba Seniors’ Games and winning dozens of medals over the years.
Menorah leaves behind a rich legacy of activism. She was a lifelong socialist – in her youth she helped build the Habonim camp at Sandy Hook (Camp Massad). She knocked on doors for progressive candidates, marching against war, sexism and racism and cheerfully walking in Pride parades in support of beloved family and friends. She remained politically active and engaged up until the onset of dementia in her early 90s.
Menorah’s funeral was held graveside on November 19 at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. The family is grateful for his warm and compassionate service. The five mourners/pallbearers were family Dovid, Robbie and Louise Waldman, Phil Spevack and Diane Zack. A Zoom shiva was held on November 20 with more than 30 participants, including, appropriately, children running around in the background, which was exactly as Menorah would have wished.
Her family would like to express its gratitude to the staff and volunteers at the Simkin Centre for their compassionate and loving care, in particular to the staff on Simkin 1.
If you choose, donations in her memory can be made to the Spiritual Care Fund at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or to Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre.
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.