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
BRENLEE WERNER
Brenlee was born on August 30, 1935 and died December 11, 2024.
Brenlee, so named as family legend has it, because her mother, Sarah Brotman wanted Brenda and her father, Ernest Brotman, wanted Leah, and so the original Brenlee was born. She grew up at 55 Bannerman the oldest of three extraordinary daughters including Caroline and Bonnie the youngest. Brenlee, the beautiful and talented 17-year-old, was spotted by a dashing neighbour, the handsome Nate Werner, and a lifelong love story was born. He said “I’m going to marry that girl” when spotted walking with her father. And he did.
She enrolled in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, in Interior Design and was crowned university Freshie Queen at a gala event. She was renowned for her beauty and style. When she moved to New York where Nate had his ophthalmology residency, she completed her design degree at the Pratt Institute.
Brenlee and Nate travelled the world together, well before such journeys were popular; to Japan, to Europe and to Israel after the six-day war. So began their dedication to Israel, and her drive to move her family there for a sabbatical year in 1972. They were constant companions, on winter vacations in Palm Springs and in the summer at Falcon Lake.
Brenlee was a determined feminist who always worked outside the home at a time when this was not the norm. She had a passion for business. She became a Real Estate Broker and Developer. It was her Highgate Project where she was really a trailblazer: the first in Winnipeg to renovate a heritage building into condos. She also developed Banbury Court, Crescent Court and Bonaventure Village. She was a consummate professional respected by contractors, engineers and the architects with whom she worked. She was the property manager of the Western Canada Lottery Building for 25 years where she was a tough lease negotiator, dedicated to her tenants’ concerns.
Brenlee had a great zest for life: she was a healthy lifestyle personified. Some days she could hardly be seen behind the piles of newspapers, New Yorker magazines, the Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She loved intellectual pursuits, and was an avid reader. She was intelligent and kind.
She was very proud of her daughters, Janet and Shelley, and supported them both in their careers. Shelley, also an interior designer shared an office with her for many years which allowed them to collaborate easily on business projects. She supported Janet’s pursuit of fine art and helped facilitate her years of education in Baltimore and at Yale. She took great pleasure in giving visitors a tour of her apartment, showing her mother’s and Janet’s paintings and books.
With her grandsons, her playful spirit came out, whether baking with Lewis or dancing in the kitchen with Jonah she had the gift of being really present when she was with you. She saw you and knew just what you needed from her. She had more energy than all of us combined. She was a bright shining star, our touchstone, and the heart of our family.
She will be forever missed by daughters Janet and partner Adrian Norvid, Shelley and husband Michael Draycott, grandsons Lewis Robinovitch and wife Robyn Cambruzzi, Jonah Simmonds and great-grandson Zev Robinovitch.
The funeral was held Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Chesed Shel Emes. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and gave a fitting tribute to Brenlee.
The family gives thanks to Brenlee’s caregivers for their love and for making her a part of their families: Lhyn Vinan, Melisa Caluza, Ellen May Bautista, Edna Maula and Leo Policarpio. Special thanks to Isabel Vieira who worked with her for over 20 years.
Donations may be made in Brenlee’s honour to JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Services) 204-477-7430.
Obituaries
RIVA-LEE MCWILLIAM
It is with broken hearts we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Wife and Baba, Riva Lee McWilliam (Rudelier), suddenly, after a difficult year of health challenges. Survived by her loving husband, Scott, her absolute other half, high school sweethearts of 56 years, and married 47 years, and her three daughters, Beth Jacob (Jonathan), Rachel and Megan, and grandsons Kiva and Shale Jacob. She is also survived by her sister Rashi (Harold) and brother Nelson as well as nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews plus the extended McWilliam family and her adoring crew of close girlfriends. As a young woman, Riva lost her own mother and father Ray and Meyer Rudelier, too soon.
Riva was born February 3, 1954. She would tell you she was “born in St Boniface” but really, she came from the North End of Winnipeg. The baby of her family, and the apple of her dad’s eye. During her childhood, her family migrated south to Montrose Street. She attended Herzlia for a year before Montrose School and Grant Park. In those years, that crew of close girlfriends established and grew tight-knit and remained that way all her life. In 1968 Scott moved in across the street. Riva was a beautiful hippy with the most beautiful hair, and so she naturally caught his attention- the actual boy next door. He waved at her through the window, and the rest is history.
She went to university and earned a degree in social work, followed by a brief career in the field before she married Scott and had their first daughter, Beth, followed by Rachel. From the time she became a mother, her daughters were the permanent centres of her universe. She made Beth and Rachel the happiest sisters ever when she gave birth to a giant bundle of joy, Megan. She drove a million carpools, took daughters to million lessons, asked a million questions, ran a million errands, and made a million meals. She took us out for a million ice cream cones in the summer, and a million more beach days to escape the city heat. She was the ultimate caretaker, Riva’s absolute purpose in this life was to be a mother to all those she loved.
Scott and Riva opened a store together in the early aughts, an exciting venture to take as a couple, albeit short-lived. She went back to work at Canadian Footwear and worked faithfully there in the Foot Health Centre for over 20 years.
She stood by her beshert- her intended- Scott though thick and thin. Riva was an unshakeable matriarch. Steadfast in her devotion to support her family through sickness and health, richer and poorer, better or worse. She weathered every storm with an impossible strength. Later in life, she reached out to offer support and understanding to other families struggling through many of the same challenges we’ve faced. She rooted her family in a foundation of profound love and commitment, and we honour her by putting those values first in everything.
In Riva’s memory we ask that any donations be directed to Jewish Child and Family Services, earmarked for addictions and mental health support, or to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, that brought Kuma into her life.
“To love another person
is to see the face of god.”
This is the kind of love that Mom, in her way, gave tirelessly to her world.
Obituaries
SID SCHWARTZMAN
We lost our dear father and grandfather on Thursday December 19, 2024. Sid passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side. Born on July 31, 1930, in Winnipeg, Sid was the son of Luis and Anne Schwartzman and brother to Herb Schwartzman. Sid lived a long and fulfilling life, devoted to his family, friends, and community.
He leaves to mourn, his children, Lisa (Joel) and Neil (Gina), and Grandsons, Noah and Eli, plus his many friends.
Sid was blessed with an outgoing personality, and he exuded spirit, humor, loyalty, and honesty. Sid had a great passion for delicatessens. He loved a corned beef sandwich, party sandwiches, a butter tart, and a “nice fruit cup.” He was the first to take you to a hole in the wall for a great burger or hot dog. Then top it all off with an ice cream cone from McDonalds.
Sid graduated from St. Johns high school and subsequently started a career in sales. Sid spent 30 years as a sales manager for Richlu manufacturing. Sid loved working and was very lucky to find meaning and purpose there. Sid retired at the age of 87 which was a difficult but reasonable choice
It was through his career in sales that he met Marsha. After a short courtship, they fell in love and married. They greatly enjoyed their lives together and spent their time going to the theatre, symphony, travelling, and spending time with their many wonderful friends. They were married for 50 years.
Sid will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marsha Schwartzman Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A funeral will be held graveside at Sharrey Zedek cemetery at 11am on Sunday, Decmeber 22.
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