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
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
DAVEY (DAVE) CHOCHINOV
With his family by his side, Dave passed away, peacefully at home, on February 13, 2026, at the age of 92. Dave was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, father Alex and mother Rose; brothers Jack, Ben, Moishe and Harvey; sisters-in-law Mary Chochinov, Loretta Chochinov, Sherry Chochinov, Marion Golfman, and Belva Shaff, and brother-in-law Ralph Shaff.
He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his children, Paul (Cathy Carey), Linda (Allan Sand), Sheldon, and Andrea; his adored grandchildren, Alex, Jeffrey, Matthew, Celene (Scott Campbell), Abbey, Claire, Eli (Pam Pilon) and Josh; great-grandchildren, Kate, Jacob, Holden and Hayes; brother-in-law Archie Cham, sister-in-law Shelley Chochinov; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Dave was born on January 15, 1934, the youngest of five sons. He attended Machray School, St. John’s High School and the University of Manitoba, where he graduated from the faculty of Pharmacy. On October 11, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor, and remained married for the next 48 years until Eleanor’s passing on October 17, 2003.
After graduating from the University of Manitoba, Dave opened a pharmacy located in the River Heights area. After several years operating his pharmacy he arrived at the conclusion that he was not happy practising as a pharmacist and a career change was required. In the mid 1960’s, with a spouse, three young children at home and one on the way, he continued working as a pharmacist, then spent a couple of years selling life insurance before deciding to pursue a path in accounting. In 1973, he completed his course of studies in accounting and obtained his designation as a Certified General Accountant. In late 1975, he opened his own accounting practice, located at 1850 Main St. His professional accounting career also included terms as President of the CGA association of Manitoba and Canada. He continued active participation in the accounting firm until 2003.
During his retirement Dave spent his days scanning photos in the family albums and sending them to his children so that they would have a rich legacy of memories to keep and pass on to their own families. When he could not drive for a time, his grandson Alex would be available to take him wherever he needed to go. They spent much time discussing the human condition, vocabulary, music, cuisine preferences, and the good old days. A tough man from a tough generation, family was everything to him. Dave had an extremely close relationship with his four older brothers, and we believe he would say that his fondest memories were the times spent at family gatherings. Whenever there was a big get-together or a Chochinov reunion, he would always remark, “It was great … the family was together.”
He was also a great sounding board for anyone who needed advice and gave quality and insightful input. He was fiercely passionate about family. In his later years he started to compile an all-encompassing family tree and in doing so he discovered long lost relatives still in the old country and ended up opening a line of communication with them. He loved technology as well and started using computers as soon as the first ones were available. He had a unique sense of humor and sent group e-mails of cartoons and jokes to friends and family daily that added joy to the lives of those privileged to be on the email list. It was also his way of staying in touch and letting people know he was thinking of them.
Funeral services were held on February 16 at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. Pallbearers were Paul Chochinov, Shel Chochinov, Alex Chochinov, Jeff Chochinov, Yale Chochinov, Jordan Chochinov, Tyler Chochinov and Matthew Strachan.
Obituaries
PHYLLIS HOCHMAN
With great sadness we announce that beloved wife, mom, and Baba, Phyllis (Zelickson) Hochman passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026 in Winnipeg.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Paula (Warren Zimmerman) and her one and only granddaughter, Abby, her greatest joy, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Phyllis was born in Winnipeg in 1940 to Walter and Esther Zelickson. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her sister, Sylvia Oberman, and her beloved husband of 53 years, Benny Hochman.
Phyllis grew up on Burrows Avenue with close friends and family. She worked at Leon A. Brown Ltd., an insurance company. Family was at the center of her world. Phyllis devoted her life to caring for those she loved, always making sure everyone was taken care of. Whether it was offering a helping hand, a listening ear, or words of encouragement, she was always there when needed.
Phyllis was known for her beautiful smile, warm heart, and joyful laughter. Her presence brought comfort, happiness, and strength to those around her.
As a mother, she was simply the best, loving and endlessly supportive. As a Baba, she filled Abby’s life with affection, guidance, and countless special memories that will be treasured forever. As a mother in law, Warren was like a son to her and they had a beautiful relationship.
Phylls was 19 when she met the love of her life, Benny Hochman. They were married in 1970 and together they created a beautiful family. They showed their daughter, Paula, true love, commitment, and partnership. Their greatest joy was being together and creating memories with family and friends.
Phyllis will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.
The funeral was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park, presided by Rabbi Kliel Rose. Pallbearers were Warren Zimmerman, Dr. Wayne Manishen, Michael Hochman, Larry Hochman, Sherman Greenfeld, and Michael Charach. If desired, contributions can be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, The Simkin Centre, or a charity of your choice.

