Obituaries
MYRA JOAN WOLCH 1933 – 2021
Myra Joan Wolch passed away in Winnipeg on January 25, 2021, at the age of 87. She was predeceased by her parents, Bertha and Gordon Kliman, and her beloved partner Saul Cherniack.
Cherished and loving mother to Sara (Julian Zuckerbrot), Mark (Sandra) and Jonathan, and grandmother to Ari Zuckerbrot and Jackson Wolch. She is also lovingly remembered by Saul’s family: Lawrie (Bea), Howard (Laurie Kahn), grand-daughters Katie (Grant Prairie) and Jennie (Matthew Williamson), and great-grand-children Isaac, Oliver and Sybil. Myra was the eldest cousin in a very large and loving extended family that ensured she was an only-child in name only.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Myra moved to Winnipeg at the age of 17. Her job in a record store in her teens began her life-long love of music: from Broadway hits to Jacques Brel, Lenny Breau and Classical. A true patron of the arts, she held season tickets to the Winnipeg Symphony and Manitoba Theatre Centre for more than 50 years. She adored the visual arts and design and had a special love for Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series. Her heart sang when she was finally able to travel to Monet’s home in Giverny, France, to walk among the flowers and grounds that inspired such timeless beauty.
Myra was strong, smart and incredibly glamorous, all in equal measure. She was a voracious reader and devastating Scrabble opponent, a lover of CBC radio, and devourer of the New Yorker Magazine. She loved to entertain and joked that her table was always elastic, easily accommodating more food and more chairs. Her homemade toffee and brownies, which she claimed contained “love” as their secret ingredients, brought smiles to everyone.
A graveside ceremony and private shiva have taken place.
The family wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to: Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Estelle Raber and Rena Secter Elbaze of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue; our dear cousin, Dr. Sarah Kredentser, for her compassion and guidance; Dr. Susan Robillard; and Dr. Peter Bialy, along with the nurses and staff at Seven Oaks General Hospital.
Heartfelt thanks to Marilyn Roldan, of Blossoms Senior Care, for her gentle presence and loving-kindness as Mom’s caregiver.
Donations in Myra’s memory may be made to:
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s Endowment Fund Tel: (204) 949-3973; and, Online at https://my.wso.ca/donate/contribute1?ct=13
The ‘Myra Wolch Fund’ at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Tel: (855) 284-1918; and, Online at www.jewishfoundation.org
Or the charity of your choice.
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).