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
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.