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
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.