Obituaries
NAOMI COODIN
When Naomi Chana Coodin (nee Cohen) passed away on January 29, 2015, our community lost an angelic voice, a resilient spirit, and a beautiful soul.
“Nomi” was predeceased by her mother Carole Cohen (nee Shell), and is survived by her beloved husband of 24 years, Sheppy Coodin; sons, Yoni and Elly; father, Jerry Cohen (Susan); sister, Shira (Stu Slayen); brother, Ari (Lisa Ryder Cohen); mother-in-law, Kayla Coodin; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Shalom and Terry Coodin, Dvora and Marshall Braunstein, and Dov Coodin; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Nomi was born in Winnipeg on August 22, 1964. She was raised in Garden City and enjoyed a playful and happy childhood. Always dancing and singing, jumping for joy, she was a bundle of energy. She relished summers in Gimli from childhood right through to last summer when she visited the family cottage for the last time.
As a student, Nomi attended Talmud Torah and Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate, and later graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in education and music from the University of Western Ontario in London.
One of the highlights of her education was her Grade 10 year spent on Kibbutz Kfar Blum in Israel. It was a formative experience that helped shape Nomi’s loving character, her inner-strength, and her independence. And it was on Kfar Blum where she forged a remarkable, enduring friendship with Judy Bornstein.
Nomi was passionate about education and about music. As a gifted elementary school teacher she treated her students with empathy and great respect. She was sensitive to their individual needs and proud of their progress. Her love of the violin was infectious, and her singing voice was heavenly. She welcomed Shabbat with song every week, and her singing at Pesach seders elevated the holiday experience for all who sat with her. Music was at the core of her being.
She shared her love of music with Yoni and Elly, but shared much more than that, too. Nomi was a brilliant parent. She was loving and creative, and succeeded with Sheppy in raising two young men grounded in good values. Nomi and Sheppy’s home has always been a place of joy and play for all who visit – especially on Shabbat, the day of rest.
The pace and serenity of Shabbat epitomized Nomi’s approach to life. She was mindful and deliberate. Whether she was doing a crossword puzzle, eating breakfast, or having a conversation, she was focused and calm. Never in a hurry.
Her illness didn’t change those characteristics. In fact, her gentle, calm, focused energy undoubtedly added quality to her life during her 14 years with cancer.
Nomi was defiant and resilient, rarely letting the disease stand in the way of her having fun with family and friends. She remained engaged and active, going for walks and playing tennis for as long as she could.
We will miss Nomi’s voice, her pace, her genuine laugh, and her beautiful smile.
Funeral services were held February 1 at Chesed Shel Emes, and officiated by Rabbi Ari Ellis and close family friend, Albert Benarroch. Pallbearers were Arnold Shell, Robert Hyman, Steven Hyman, Gary Diamond, David Coodin, and Gilli Braunstein.
The family extends its deep and sincere gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, health care aides, and other hospital personnel who treated Nomi with great skill and determination, with care and with dignity over so many years. We stand in awe of their devotion, and are forever grateful to the teams at CancerCare Manitoba and at St-Boniface Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit.
We are profoundly grateful to the many friends who provided support to Nomi in so many ways throughout her illness.
Friends and family wishing to honour Nomi’s memory are invited to contribute to the “Naomi Coodin Gray Academy Music Fund” at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, phone 204-477-7525 (toll free 1-855-284-1918) or donate online at www.jewishfoundation.org.
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).