Obituaries
MIRIAM ERENBERG (nee BLOCK) January 26, 1929 – July 23, 2017
Surrounded by family, Miriam Erenberg passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She leaves behind to mourn her sister Ruth Sher of Montreal; sisters-in-law, Marylin and Norma Block, both of Montreal, and Musi (Sam) Singer of Beverly Hills, California; her daughter Galla (Allan) Horenfeldt of Toronto, ON; sons, Yale (Ellen) Erenberg of St. Mary’s, ON, David (Ronda) Erenberg, Reuven Erenberg (Elaine Pelley) and Noah Erenberg (Cheryl Cohan); grandchildren, Tyler Horenfeldt of Toronto, ON, and Max, Jona, Daniel, Sarah, Leah, Micah and Brina Erenberg, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Miriam was predeceased by her husband Morris; parents, Rebecca (Rivkah) and John (Yonah) Block; daughter Esther Brina; sisters, Anne Block, Faye Friedman and Rose Segal; brothers, Ben and Hye Block; brothers-in-law, Harry Friedman, Melvin Segal, David Sher and Joe Erenberg; and sister-in-law Anne Erenberg.
A graveside service was officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl on July 25, 2017 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Yale, David, Reuven, Noah, Daniel, Max and Micah Erenberg; honorary pallbearers were Allan and Tyler Horenfeldt.Born in Montreal, QC on January 26, 1929, Mom had fond memories of growing up in Quebec, in particular the summers spent at the family’s Cape Cod style cottage along the shores of Trout Lake in the Laurentians, located north of Montreal. It was there Mom learned to become a talented swimmer, mastering several techniques, including the breast stroke, front crawl and butterfly. Mom also had a passion for downhill skiing, mostly near Montreal and sometimes in the Laurentians.
After graduating from the Girls Section of the High School of Montreal, Mom went on to study nutritional sciences at McGill University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. In 1952, at 23 years of age, Mom started dating Dad, a 28 year old medical student from Winnipeg who was completing a residency at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. A year later, in 1953, they were married in Montreal and then moved to Winnipeg. Within a span of 10 years beginning in 1954, Mom and Dad brought six children into this world. In 1970, the family moved from the south end suburb of River Heights to the fledgling residential development known as Parkway Square, located in the far northwest corner of the city. Once all her children were in school full time, Mom worked for several years as a medical receptionist in Dad’s family practice, while continuing to maintain a home for those children who were still living at home. In 1998, shortly after retirement, Mom and Dad moved back to the south end of town, settling in Tuxedo. In 2009, after Dad took ill and would remain permanently hospitalized until his death on the winter solstice in 2010, Mom moved to the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence, where she forged new friendships and rekindled old ones. Unfortunately, after six years, Mom’s personal care needs exceeded what the Shaftesbury could provide, thus prompting her final move, to the Simkin Centre, in 2015.
Mom was never, ever, imposing and she always put the needs of others first (almost to a fault). She also made her home a place where friends and neighbours always felt welcome. She was the consummate homemaker, cooking and cleaning with an impeccable attention to detail from as early as 6 in the morning until 9 in the evening. Not only did this commitment to perfection transcend the realm of the home to influence her children in their approach to school and work alike, it would become the hallmark of the tools of independence with which she equipped her children once they moved out on their own.
To know Mom was to truly love her. She was, by all accounts, the most compassionate, kind and selfless person you could ever meet. And she treated everyone, without exception, in this gracefully magnanimous, altruistic fashion. A true lady. A classy woman who lived her life in such a way that she will always be fondly remembered and deeply cherished by all who were graced by her presence. As just about anyone who knew her would say, “It was so easy to love her.”
Even the smallest bit of good news from her kids or grandkids was met with enormous happiness and true elation on her part. Telling her of the accomplishments of her children or grandchildren was a sure antidote for a difficult day; a real remedy for the vicissitudes of aging.
When asked a few years ago to sum up her life motto, she said: “To be kind and helpful to others, especially those in need. And to also be a very devoted and caring parent and wife.”
So, Mom, you can go to your well-deserved resting place with a quiet mind and an easy heart, knowing that even though we will miss being with you, miss visiting with you, or talking to you on the phone, at the same time we are deeply comforted by the indelible impression you have made on our lives and on the lives of so many people. The profound way in which you lived your life, your soulful essence that you shone upon everyone you met and everything you did, means you will most certainly live brilliantly and beautifully in our hearts, and in the hearts of others, forever.
We gratefully wish to acknowledge the love and devotion of Mom’s caregivers, Carmen, Marie Anne and Joci, whose compassion, patience and kindness over the past decade were instrumental in enriching Mom’s life and affording her a few more years of happiness she would not have otherwise enjoyed with family and friends. The family would also like to thank the staff at the Simkin Centre, in particular the nurses and attendants at Unit 1 South, who brought life to Mom’s later years with their kind care, enthusiastic programming and special attention to her needs.
In keeping with Miriam’s wishes, you may donate to her granddaughter’s Registered Disability Savings Plan by sending a cheque to Sarah Erenberg, Box 195, 23-845 Dakota Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 5M3. However, interested donors who prefer to support a registered charity may donate to OHEYS Autism Programs, a local registered charity that designs and delivers community-based activity programs for children and teens on the autism spectrum. This may be done online at www.oheys.org and press the DONATE button or by mail at OHEYS Autism Programs, 61 Linacre Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 3G7. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for a donation in any amount.
Obituaries
DONALD (DON) BASS

1938-2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Donald (Don) Bass on May 14, 2025.
Don is survived by his partner of 25 years Darlene, children, Eileen Fortin (Tim) and Hartley Bass, stepchildren Pyper (Jesse) and Palmer and sister Lynda. He was also a beloved grandfather to Kelsey and Taylor and Zaidie to Rooney and Lux.
Don was predeceased by his parents Abe and Gloria Bass and by his son Jonathon.
Don was born in Fort William, Ontario in 1938. He came to Winnipeg to attend university but ultimately made his mark operating Dutchmaid Ice Cream, including manufacturing ice cream for dairies across Western Canada gaining him the title of “Emperor of Ice Cream”.
During and after operating Dutchmaid, Don also managed rental properties in and around the Osborne Village.
Don was more than an entrepreneur and an astute businessman; he was a man of decency, generosity, integrity and compassion. He treated everyone he met with respect, offering help in any way he could.
Don was also known for his sarcasm and sense of humour earning him the added title of “Real Character”.
Don loved family, he loved people, and he loved his annual trips to South Florida.
Funeral and burial were held on May 20 at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery with the Meal of Condolence at Temple Shalom.
Donations can be made to the General Fund at Temple Shalom or to the Gloria and Abe Bass Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
May Don’s memory be a blessing.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login