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
ISABELLE BOOK
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It is with sadness and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our family matriarch Isabelle Book. Izzy was born on November 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
She was predeceased by her parents Clara and Jacob Brownstein, her brother Walter, her sister Minnie Goldman, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother-in-law Noel and a fabulous group of women who shared a friendship that lasted decades.
She is survived by her 4 children, Warren and Faye Book, Marilyn and David Pressman, Jacqueline and Jory Stillwater and David and Elaine Book. She was a very proud Baba to Hilary Book, Deborah Book and Mike James, Laurie and Ginny Stillwater, Kayleigh and Barrett Ruggles, Adam Book and Gabe Bloomfield-Book and Seth Book and Amy Shore. She so enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of her great-grandchildren Hugo, Marcus, Reese, Maverick, Richie and Sullivan. She will also be greatly missed by her sister -in- law and dear friend Shirley Book.
Izzy had a great sense of humour and was often unable to get to the punchline of a joke because she was laughing so hard. She could be stubborn and strong minded. She would dig in her heels if she felt she was being pushed to make a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Izzy enjoyed time with family and friends but was also very comfortable with her own company.
Izzy knew what it meant to be a friend. She was a kind compassionate woman who cherished the people in her life and was always our biggest fan. Our mom was a quality human being who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Izzy lived by the Golden Rule. She lived a long, healthy life but remained seriously young at heart.
There are memories to last a lifetime, ones that we will keep close as we honour her memory. We were blessed to have her for as long as we did, strong, loving and sharp until almost the end. She modeled what it meant to live a good life. She also did it on her terms.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 9 at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at the Rosewood (Maple House) where she lived. She bonded with many of the wonderful people who cared and supported her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025
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Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.
Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.
In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.
The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.
A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg. Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.
Obituaries
DR. ARTHUR G. HERSCOVITCH
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arthur Herscovitch on February 3, 2025, at the age of 77.
Arthur will be remembered by his wife Linda, daughter Rennie (Mark), granddaughters, Anna and Miriam, sister Judy (Mel), brother Robert (Lynda), brother Martin (Rose), and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arthur started his long career as a clinical psychologist in Winkler, Manitoba. A year later he moved back to Winnipeg, where he spent 36 years working at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, where he helped thousands of patients through very difficult times.
Arthur and Linda loved to travel and visited places such as China, Turkey, Morocco and many countries in Europe, and they went on road trips all over North America. Arthur was a very creative man who enjoyed woodworking and sketching, and he loved to engage in physical activities such as jogging and weightlifting. Above all else, Arthur cherished his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
Thank you to the wonderful staff at the Simkin Centre for your care of Arthur. Your patience, compassion and understanding are greatly appreciated.
A funeral service was held in Arthur’s honour at the Chesed Shel Emes on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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