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
Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025

Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.
Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.
Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.
Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.
In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.
Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER

Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
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