Obituaries
MIRIAM FLEISHER
November 05, 1941 – May 21, 2017
Miriam Fleisher, 76, peacefully passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017, corresponding to the 25th of Iyyar, 5777, in the comfort of her own home.
She is survived by her brother William, sister-in-law Doreen, nephews, Ryan, Gideon, Zach and Ben, and nieces Dara and Raisa. Miriam lived a full and fruitful life as an independent woman, till the very end. She was predeceased by her father Samuel (Simcha), mother Regina (Rivke) and brother Frank.
Miriam was fortunate to survive the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, thanks to the ingenuity of her parents, who placed her in a Catholic convent. After her parents were separated and miraculously survived the atrocities surrounding them, they somehow were reunited and returned to gather their daughter. Miriam, who had in her first few years been raised Catholic, recalled she was not initially pleased to learn her fate or faith. She was returned to her parents on the condition that she be raised Catholic, an agreement that soon fell by the wayside, as she and her newly born brother Frank came with their parents as refugees to Canada and started a new life. Her brother William was soon to follow and the family entered the wholesale cattle and meat business. She graduated high school, took some post secondary education at the University of Manitoba and soon moved to Toronto for work.
Miriam subsequently moved on to California, working in real estate, property management and at IBM. She was a trailblazer for women in the workforce, and built a full life on the west coast. She kept in touch with many of her friends from that period of her until her death.
Miriam was truly the life of the party, and a social force with which to be reckoned. Her penchant to find trouble and mischief made for a great many tales. When asked at a cocktail party in California by Ronald Reagan, the future American president, if he had her support in the upcoming election, she remarked that she wasn’t an American citizen, but if she was, there was no way she would vote for him. Suffice it to say, her friend at the Associated Press didn’t invite her to many more such parties. While many of us today have become increasingly sensitized and filtered, Miriam was not afraid to speak her mind.
Because of her financial success and close attention paid to the market, Miriam was able to retire in her late 40’s, returning to Winnipeg to care for her mother, who was alone after her husband’s passing. She cared meticulously for her mother while at the same time taking on new responsibilities with nieces, nephews and extended family.
Her love of the arts, cinema and theatre knew no bounds. She read voraciously; history, politics, fiction, nonfiction and her favourite newsmagazines. She strove to stay current in politics and world events, and enjoyed her connections with the Chavurat Tefilah and the Jewish Reading Circle.
While she appeared to be a larger than life persona, Miriam was also a very private individual, one who was able to speak volumes without really letting you in to the struggles that she faced. She emanated warmth and left an impression on everyone she encountered.
Her family is comforted in knowing that her memory and dedication will continue to inspire us for years to come.
She was laid to rest at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery on Tuesday May 23. Donations in Miriam’s honour may be made to the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre ( http://gwensecter.com/donations/ ) or to a charity of one’s choice.
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.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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