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
RITA TRITT
March 29, 1925 – February 22, 2025
Just a month before her 100th birthday, Rita passed away peacefully with family by her side. She was the last of her generation of the large Weidman family, one of the earliest Jewish families in Winnipeg. Growing up in Winnipeg, she attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from there. Rita was a very talented artist; she attended the Forum Art Institute for many, many years where she enjoyed the mentorship and camaraderie of fellow artists. She was proud of having sold several hundred pieces of her work over her time there.
Rita was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joe Tritt, in 1986. She is survived by her loving family, her children: Jacki and Sheldon Koven, Steven Tritt and Sharon Goszer Tritt; grandchildren: Lesley Koven and Eric Thomas, Mara Koven-Lapointe and Ryan Lapointe, Joseph Tritt and Shaun Castor; great-grandchildren: Ayla and Eli Thomas, and Kate Lapointe.
Funeral services were held on February 24, 2025. Rita’s family is grateful for the warm and attentive care of Sherryl and Sergio and all the staff on Weinberg 1 at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Rita lived for the last 3 years. If friends wish, a donation in Rita’s memory can be made to the Simkin Centre or the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ISABELLE BOOK
It is with sadness and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our family matriarch Isabelle Book. Izzy was born on November 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
She was predeceased by her parents Clara and Jacob Brownstein, her brother Walter, her sister Minnie Goldman, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother-in-law Noel and a fabulous group of women who shared a friendship that lasted decades.
She is survived by her 4 children, Warren and Faye Book, Marilyn and David Pressman, Jacqueline and Jory Stillwater and David and Elaine Book. She was a very proud Baba to Hilary Book, Deborah Book and Mike James, Laurie and Ginny Stillwater, Kayleigh and Barrett Ruggles, Adam Book and Gabe Bloomfield-Book and Seth Book and Amy Shore. She so enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of her great-grandchildren Hugo, Marcus, Reese, Maverick, Richie and Sullivan. She will also be greatly missed by her sister -in- law and dear friend Shirley Book.
Izzy had a great sense of humour and was often unable to get to the punchline of a joke because she was laughing so hard. She could be stubborn and strong minded. She would dig in her heels if she felt she was being pushed to make a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Izzy enjoyed time with family and friends but was also very comfortable with her own company.
Izzy knew what it meant to be a friend. She was a kind compassionate woman who cherished the people in her life and was always our biggest fan. Our mom was a quality human being who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Izzy lived by the Golden Rule. She lived a long, healthy life but remained seriously young at heart.
There are memories to last a lifetime, ones that we will keep close as we honour her memory. We were blessed to have her for as long as we did, strong, loving and sharp until almost the end. She modeled what it meant to live a good life. She also did it on her terms.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 9 at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at the Rosewood (Maple House) where she lived. She bonded with many of the wonderful people who cared and supported her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025
Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.
Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.
In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.
The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.
A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg. Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.
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