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
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).