Obituaries
MURIEL FAYE TESSLER (BENDER)
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Muriel Faye Tessler, on Sunday, December 23, 2018 at the Grace Hospital, at the age of 85.
Faye’s memory will be forever cherished by her children, Zane and Shawna, Alan and Shari, Brenda and Joel, and Michael and Michelle; her grandchildren, Dana (Jack), Alix, Brett, Melanee, Jessica, Josh, Zach, Adam, Justin and Brendan; her great-grandchild Frank; her sister and brother-in-law Helen and Harvey Chargo, brother and sister-in-law Earl and Gail Bender, her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Faye was predeceased by the love of her life and husband of 50 years, Ernie, her parents Lillian and Joseph Bender, and, most recently, her cousin Elaine Paul.
Faye was born in Winnipeg on July 8, 1933, the eldest of three children. The family moved to Elma, Manitoba, where they lived for the next five and half years before returning to Winnipeg.
Faye and Ernie met by chance at a mutual friend’s wedding. Their relationship evolved, and they married on October 31, 1954. Faye and Ernie were the perfect partners and their love and devotion to each other and to their family was inspirational. While Ernie established himself in business, Faye managed their home and was always there to support her children, in all of their endeavours.
They enjoyed happy years together travelling and entertaining, the ultimate hosts welcoming their friends, family and their children’s friends. Their home was the venue for holiday celebrations, get-togethers, card games and pool parties. Their annual winter holidays in Pompano Beach, Florida were dedicated to family time.
Faye was the consummate matriarch. She savoured her role as a homemaker, wife, mother, devoted daughter, loyal sister, aunt, true friend and caring and loving grandmother and great-grandmother.
Faye also found time to volunteer and be an active, lifetime member and leader in community organizations including Hadassah, Pioneer Women/Na’amat, ORT, and B’nai Brith Women.
Following Ernie’s untimely passing, Faye tried to redefine herself as a widow going forward. She missed Ernie terribly, but she was able to find periods of joy and rediscover herself over these past 14 years.
As her health declined, she had the support from her family and companions. We acknowledge Marley Missyabit and Catherine Santos for their care and love given to Faye, in providing her comfort with dignity. We also extend our appreciation to the Simkin Centre staff at 1 North Wing for their attention and compassion directed to Faye during the last weeks of her life.
A graveside funeral service took place on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery officiated by Rabbi Kleil Rose. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
Tributes in Faye’s memory may be made by a donation to the Faye and Ernie Tessler Fund, at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204.477.7525), or a charity of your choice.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day…. unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.”
Obituaries
ALAN LEVY
On January 6, Alan Levy, age 71, died at Grace Hospital with his wife and daughters by his side.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Alan spent his childhood in the North End and later moved to River Heights, where his family settled on Brock Street.
After studying in Winnipeg and Tel Aviv, Alan moved to Toronto, where he lived for over 30 years. It was in Toronto where he raised a family with his first wife, Sylvia Bashevkin, worked in public sector human resources and fell in love with Chinese food.
In 2017, after brief stints as an academic in Regina and Brandon, Alan moved back home to the Peg, where he spent many fulfilling years with his devoted wife of 20 years, Cheryl Karlinsky, and their loving dogs. In his later career, he was appointed to the Labour Relations Board of Canada where he served as a skilled adjudicator and proud Canadian.
Alan was endlessly proud of his family, daughters Dalia Levy and Aviva Levy (Adam Walman) of Toronto, and two grandsons, Jonah and Ethan.
Predeceased by his parents Sheldon and Audrey Levy (nee Myers) of Winnipeg, Alan was a dedicated news junkie with a sharp sense of humour. He thrived most when discussing current events, cracking jokes and debating geopolitical crises. Much to his family’s frustration, he would stay up all night glued to the news, and they’d wake up to endless articles he’d shared the night before.
Alan had an exceptionally strong spirit of generosity and focus on ‘tikkun olam’ – repairing the world, which lives on in his children and grandchildren. His family is grateful to the staff at Simkin for providing him with a phenomenal level of care over the last few years, especially Dr. Chung and Sara Reid, Assistant Director of Care. Special thanks to Paul, Victor and Almaze, his kind and patient caregivers.
The funeral took place at Chesed Shel Emes on January 8.
Donations in his memory can be made to The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre https://www.simkincentre.ca.
Obituaries
DENNIS GERALD DITLOVE NOVEMBER 25, 1936 – DECEMBER 1, 2025
Dennis Gerald Ditlove was a man of integrity, kindness, generosity and most of all, humor. He was born on November 25, 1936 in the small town of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the son of Louis and Faye Ditlove, and if you knew him at all, you heard plenty of stories about his childhood there. Dennis was a man of unparalleled resolve and an entrepreneur who built Inland Steel through grit and determination.
He retired from Inland Steel in Saskatoon, SK in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and innovation. His unwavering commitment to his work was only outshone by his love for his family and his community in Rancho Mirage, California. Dennis was a man of many talents and passions but he was best known for the relationships he cultivated with everyone he met, and his unparalleled sense of humor.
Dennis is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; and his loving children, Mark (Wendy) Ditlove, Shari Snow and Cindy (Stuart) Tapper; beloved grandchildren, Matthew (Mary) Ditlove, Jacob (Sydney) Ditlove, Danielle (Eli) Dresner, Emily (Max) Snow, Max Bermont, Jillian Snow, Jonah Tapper, Leo Tapper and Henry Tapper; and adored great-grandchildren, Sam and Wynn Ditlove, Goldie and Bernie Dresner. His legacy lives on in them, in the lessons he taught them and the love he gave. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of wisdom in their lives, providing them with a firm foundation on which to build their own successes.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Faye Ditlove; his sister Zora (Walter) Stern; his first wife, Marlene Ditlove; and son-in-law Howard Snow. While there is sorrow in his passing, there is also joy in celebrating a life well-lived, a life that left indelible marks on the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A service to honor and commemorate Dennis’s life was held on Friday December 5th at the Adath Yeshurin Cemetery Chapel in Minneapolis.
We invite his family and friends to visit www. hodroff.com/DennisDitlove to rewatch the service. Contributions in name can be be made to the Jewish Federation of the Desert, 69710 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
DEBORAH DOLLY CHISICK (nee SEGAL) NOVEMBER 30, 1942 – DECEMBER 19, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dolly Chisick on Friday, December 19th, at the age of 83. Dolly passed peacefully with her family by her side. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Shannon Chisick-Harman and Sean Chisick; her grandson, Charlie Harman; her siblings, Elaine (Paul) Olin and Barney Segal; her husband, Ernie Chisick; and her nephews, nieces, and many friends. Dolly was predeceased by her beloved parents, Sam Segal in 1998, and Louise Segal in 2006. Dolly was born on November 30, 1942, in Toronto, Ontario. After a few years, her family settled in Winnipeg, where she spent her formative years growing up on Lansdowne Avenue. Dolly graduated from teachers’ college in 1962 and married Ernie in 1964.
Together, they travelled the world, stopping at every museum along the way.
An extraordinary art teacher, Dolly’s career spanned more than fifty years. A gifted educator and passionate artist, she inspired generations of students and instilled in them a lifelong love and appreciation for art. Her creativity, patience, and encouragement left a lasting impact on all who learned from her. Dolly was a deeply caring person who truly loved people, always opening her home and making everyone feel welcome. Her energy was endless. An extraordinary cook, she was especially known for her famous challah buns, lovingly baked and shared, which became a symbol of her care, hospitality, and the comfort she brought to those she loved.
Family and connection were the most important things in Dolly’s life, and she nurtured those bonds with warmth and generosity. Above all else, she adored her children and, later, her grandson, Charlie, taking immense pride and joy in being a devoted Bubi. The bonds and connections Dolly shared with those she loved will remain deeply felt, a lasting source of comfort and strength, and an enduring part of her legacy.
The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Riverview for their exemplary care and compassion over the past several years. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 22nd, at the Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Owen Davidson, Myles Davis, Marc Goldberg, Michael Goldberg, Jordan Hochman, and Jordan Farber.
In memory of Dolly, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the charity of your choice.