Obituaries
MINNIE KARLINSKY
Minnie Karlinsky (nee Ratner), was born in 1923 in Norquay, Saskatchewan. She had a great and happy life – all 98 years. She lived in the centre of friends and family. She was a positive and loving woman who had great joie de vivre, charm, style, beauty, generosity, compassion and wisdom. She was important to her family. She maintained all of her relationships. Her death leaves a huge void.
Minnie was born the youngest of six children. In 1926, the family moved to Winnipeg. Minnie grew up in the North End. Minnie was close to her older sisters and a group of life-long friends. Minnie attended Machray and St. John’s high school where she enjoyed sports and social activities. She took a course at the Normal School and spent one year in the country teaching grades one to nine in a one room schoolhouse. Minnie took great pride in having had the experience of being a teacher in Kerrik, Manitoba. She met her husband-to-be Will Karlinsky at an Eagles’ picnic when she was 16 years of age. They dated on and off for eight years before marrying in 1947, living on Inkster Blvd, then Emerson, and a return to Winnipeg during the polio epidemic. Minnie stayed home and raised their children, imparting to them the importance of being tolerant of others and treating everyone equally. She was active in Hadassah, ORT and the Rosh Pina Purim ball for a number of years. Extended family events in the Jewish calendar and other family and friend celebrations marked her year. At the age of 53 she went back to the University of Manitoba where she continued her studies at the School of Art.
Minnie and Will had a lot of fun. They loved their retreat at Sandy Hook. They loved partying with a cohort of friends and family, singing, dancing, celebrating the holidays and milestones. Mom made everyone feel important.
Minnie was an extraordinary cook, a gourmet, leaving everyone with memories of amazing meals. She was an innovator who respected tradition. She hosted and was hospitable. The door was always open, the coffee was always on, and her kitchen table and generosity were open to all. She was an avid reader, a prolific painter, a brilliant bridge player and she maintained a positive attitude to the end of her life, enjoying family, friends, nature and sunshine. She loved art and artists. She loved beauty. Hers was the smile and presence that lit the room. She faced and dealt with adversity, illness and disappointments with strength and courage. Wherever she lived: Campbell Street, the Crescent, The Portsmouth, and briefly at the Simkin Centre, she remained interested in people, extending a hand of friendship, accustomed that love would flow. She brought light into every situation, loving babies, the sky, a good martini. She had a beautiful smile. She was fiercely adoring and proud of her children and grandchildren, lavishing them with praise, and she was central to the vitality and connectedness of her large extended family.
She is pre-deceased by parents Frank and Sarah Ratner; husband William Karlinsky; brother Harry Ratner; sisters and brothers-in-law Molly and Jack Secter, Bessie and Morris Whiteman, Sophie and Aubie Jacob, Doris and Stan Sachs; in-laws Avram and Sonia, Hy and Eve, Jake and Sharna, Leah and Tzvi Trefler; nephews and niece Kenny Jacob, Alan and Matthew Karlinsky, and Marcia Secter; and great-grandson Cabe William Crossman, all of blessed memory. Minnie is survived by children Karen and Barry Corrin, Ellen Karlinsky and Adrian Challis, Harry Karlinsky and Andrea Tuka, former daughter-in-law Sally Davis Karlinsky; and Amy Karlinsky and Bryan Magnusson; grandchildren Daniel (Deirdre) and Sarah (Lyndon) Corrin; Aaron (Amy) and Jon (Lisha) Challis; Franny (Travis), April and Elizabeth Karlinsky; Anna and Saul Magnusson; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Benjamin, Jacob, Phoenix, Hazel, Samaya, and Ruby.
Minnie loved Assiniboine Park, took great joy in nature and sang lullabies and childhood songs to her grandchildren right to the end of her life. No birthday can be celebrated without Minnie’s rendition of “May you live a hundred years”; and as she encountered the day: “How beautiful and blue the sky!”
The family will always appreciate Maria Arbuthnot for her loving care of Minnie over the last few years, and the wonderful staff at the Portsmouth where she resided for seven years. She died at the Simkin Centre, after a short stay, on August 12th (4th Elul) and was buried at the Rosh Pina cemetery on August 15th.
Minnie was concerned for those in need: the hungry, the homeless and those without families or support. She believed in causes of justice and children’s literacy. Donations in her memory may be made to Winnipeg Harvest Foodbank, The Bear Clan, One Just City and the Literacy Programs of the Winnipeg Foundation and Winnipeg Public Library. Loved and beloved, we will be inspired by her ability to lift her face to the beautiful blue sky.
Obituaries
Charlton Gavriel Garland
August 10, 1984 – January 14, 2026
Beloved and devoted husband of Katrina Bittner, proud and loving father of Logan, Mia, and Luke
Son of Marshall and Gail Garland
Son-in-law to Norbert and Carolyn Bittner
Brother to Gideon (Bracha), Matthew (Leah), and Josepha (Adam)
Uncle, nephew, cousin, Charlton Gavriel, z”l, loved his family and loved being with family and friends. Many people commented on his big welcoming smile, good humour and non-judgmental attitude, his tendency from early childhood to help out, how he stood up against bullying, and how much fun it was to be with him. Day camp, picnics, Purim carnivals, Shabbatons benefited. Bartender, then shift supervisor at the Green Brier were on-the-job steps towards his dream of owning his own bar.
Charlton Gavriel’s family was everything to him. Nothing was as dear to him as spending time with his wife and children. His biggest distress was inability to take care of them. He endured so much to keep going as long as he could. They were his greatest love.
These last five years have been very difficult, at times very hopeful and at times almost unbearable with the pain of each chemo, each side effect, and ever increasing weakness.
Sincere thanks for all the love, prayers, anecdotes, photos, things that made us all laugh during these long years.
Heartfelt thanks to far-flung family, to all who came to visit, who helped make visits possible, who ensured Charlton Gavriel, z”l, was surrounded with love and support to the end. He was awake, aware, and acknowledging during his final hours. He passed painlessly and at peace, for which we all are very grateful.
Special thanks to JCFS, Auntie Michelle, and the staff at Concordia Hospital and at Riverview.
Special thanks to Rabbi Altein, Rabbi Benarroch, Rabbi Charytan, and Rabbi Heidingsfeld.
Pallbearers:
Gideon, Marshall, Matthew, and Max Garland
Daniel Saidman
Kas Kuropatwa
Those wishing to help support Charlton Gavriel’s, z”l, family can be in touch with Katrina, Marshall, or Gail for details on how to donate.
Gavriel Garland, you made the world a wonderful place.
Obituaries
SAMUEL SEARLE October 29, 1930 – December 1, 2025
Our dear father, Sam, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a long, rich life of 95 years.
Dad shared almost 67 of those years with our dear mother, his beloved wife, Betty, who predeceased him in April of 2024. Sam was also predeceased by his parents, Dora and David Cirulnikov; three of his four older sisters, Bernice Brownstone, Marion Toffick, Luba Sitchin, and their respective spouses; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doreen and Garry Shapera.
He is survived by his children Sharna, Lorne (Barbara) and Beverlee (Barry); grandchildren Evan, Aaron, Jamie and Matthew; sister Eve Blank; many nieces and nephews who adored him and for whom he was Uncle Sammy; several cousins; and many friends and former colleagues. All delighted in his company.
Sam was the youngest and only son in a family of five children. His parents emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his three oldest sisters. Eve was born shortly after they arrived in Canada and Sam in 1930. The family lived in Winnipeg’s North End and Sam attended public schools and the Talmud Torah night school. During the summers, and part-time throughout the years while continuing his education, he worked as a short order cook at both the Silver Grill Restaurant and Arcade Deli. Dad made his legendary, piled-high sandwiches into his eighties!
After graduating high school from St. John’s Tech, Sam was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and ultimately went on to enjoy a very accomplished career as a partner with MMP, a major local architectural firm, and later, as a founding partner/developer with Duraps Corporation and Pine Hill Development Corp. In a career that spanned almost half a century, Sam made his mark on the landscape of Winnipeg and other North American cities, having been involved in the design and construction of private residences, schools, concert halls, fire halls, university and government buildings, and the development of condominiums, residential subdivisions, shopping centres and industrial land.
In addition to his professional life, Sam was also a dedicated community volunteer. A long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg North, Dad was awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow medallion, for his contributions and service to the organization. He also served on the board of the Rosh Pina Synagogue for several terms and was a charter member of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Dad was also a talented, and ambidextrous, artist, a curler, green thumb, dapper dresser and terrific dancer. He and Betty always lit up a dance floor!
Sam shared a wonderfully rich family life with Betty. Married in 1957, they moved four years later into the mid-century modern masterpiece that Sam designed for them in Garden City (a then new, north end Winnipeg neighbourhood) and in which they remained throughout their entire marriage. The house magically expanded and contracted as needed and saw its share of fabulous parties, Passover Seders and a multitude of family simchas and other joyous gatherings. As parents, they were loving, excellent role models who encouraged strong family connections. As grandparents, Zaida Sam and Bobbie Betty were the best – adoring, proud, involved and a lot of fun!
Locally, Sam and Betty enjoyed attending the symphony, chamber music and jazz concerts, the opera, the Folk Festival and the theatre. Their worldly travels took them to Mexico, Israel, China, Cuba, Europe, the Caribbean and North American camping trips and ski holidays. Closer to home, their cottage in Gimli (Loni Beach), MB, was a focal point for family and friends every summer.
Our father was a man of unwavering integrity, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit. Respected and respectful, Sam Searle was a great guy, a real mensch. He will be deeply missed.
The last year and four months of Dad’s life were spent at the Simkin Centre. Sharing an ice cream and a smile, singing with him, particularly at the “Friday Night Lights” Shabbat service, were precious moments.
Sam passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital. We are grateful for the care and kindness provided by the staff at both institutions. A heartfelt thank you, as well, to Sharon Merrells, the ultimate “Sam whisperer,” for her years of care and dedication, especially over those last challenging 16 months.
The graveside funeral service, held on December 4, 2025, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, was warmly officiated, on a freezing morning, by Rabbi Kliel Rose. The pallbearers were grandchildren Evan, Aaron and Jamie Searle and Matthew Pearl, son-in-law Barry Pearl and great nephew Gavin Shapera.
Donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s “Betty & Sam Searle Memorial Fund” or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
JEAN SHIRLEY KOPSTEIN February 14, 1934 – January 11, 2026
Jean Shirley Kopstein passed away peacefully, a month shy of her 92nd birthday, with her three devoted children by her side.
Known to her family as Shaney, Jean will be deeply missed by her children, Ivy (Murray), Ruth, and Alan; her grandchildren, Louis, Minnie (Patrick), Leo (Ashley), and Max (Brynne); her great-grandchild, Margot; her brothers, Martin (Grace) and Gary; as well as her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jean was born on Valentine’s Day in 1934 in Montreal. In 1939, her family returned to Winnipeg, where they settled in the city’s North End. During her second year at the University of Manitoba, Jean met Bobby Kopstein, the light of her life. They married on June 23, 1954. That same year, Jean graduated as a teacher and taught for three years before choosing to stay home to raise their family.
Later in life, Jean embarked on a deeply meaningful professional career and left her mark on every organization she served. She worked as a counsellor at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, went on to become Director of Staff Development and Training for the provincial Department of Corrections, and was seconded by the government to establish the Manitoba Women’s Directorate. She was often described as an inspiration – a wonderful colleague, a thoughtful leader, and a great friend.
Jean had many passions and immersed herself fully in all of them. She loved travelling with Bob and had a keen appreciation for music, art, design, fashion, film, and food from many cultures – always in search of the perfect muffin! She formed deep bonds with family and friends, with constant concern for the well-being of those she loved. Jean and Bob were humanists who led by example, instilling strong values in their family.
Jean had a unique and engaging presence. She was outgoing, vivacious, curious, and intelligent. She lit up a room with her energy and her beautiful, warm smile.
Diagnosed with glaucoma in her 60s, Jean began a long and challenging period in her life. After the loss of Bob in 2014, she faced further health difficulties. Despite these challenges, her desire to live fully never waned. She remained interested in the world around her and took great joy in family dinners, trips to Winnipeg Beach, and spending time with family and friends.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in Jean’s care over the many years, especially those who went above and beyond. They are deeply grateful to Shaftesbury Park for its support, and in particular to Jean’s caregivers for their outstanding care, compassion, and kindness. The family also thanks the clergy and staff of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue for their services and support.
Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.