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
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
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