Obituaries
PAULA WORB
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Paula Worb. Paula passed surrounded by family on December 3, 2022. She was predeceased by her parents, Abraham and Sarah, and by her son-in-law, Bryan.
Paula leaves behind her husband, Bill; her children Marla and Ron (Gail); her grandchildren, Sari, Alexi, Andrew and Samantha; her brother Ruben (Rita), as well as her nieces and nephews.
Paula was an exceptional woman, she had a bigger than life personality that always lit up a room.
For 64 years she devoted her life to her husband, Bill, who was the love of her life. Together they built a thriving local Winnipeg business. Paula would have celebrated her 83rd birthday on January 25th, 2023. Despite the health challenges that she faced in later life, she insisted on maintaining her household that she lived in for nearly 50 years. You would always know when Paula was in the room, as her vibrant presence radiated. She absolutely loved her mornings at the Rady Center, where she was a social butterfly.
Despite her many accomplishments, she never forgot her humble beginnings. She gave with open arms, never expecting anything in return.
She lived for her children and grandchildren and was a pillar of strength and support for her family.
Her wish was to live her last days in the comfort of her home. On the day of her passing, she was admitted to the Grace hospital where she spent her remaining hours surrounded by family and received phenomenal and compassionate medical care.
Paula will be missed by all of the family and by those fortunate enough to have known her. She will live forever in their memories.
Paula’s family wishes to thank her caregivers, as well as and the doctors and nurses, who provided compassionate and wonderful care to her at Grace hospital.
Funeral services and interment were at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on December 5, 2022, with Rabbi Mass officiating. Pallbearers were Dr. Michael Myers, Dr. Eric Vicker, Ivan Master, Lyle Silverstein, Jeff Morry, and Lexie Zimmer.
Obituaries
DR. CLIFFORD LEVI
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Clifford Levi – beloved husband, father, and physician. Cliff passed away on September 15, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with leukemia. Cliff was born in Winnipeg on May 28, 1951. He was the youngest of three siblings. He attended Grant Park High School, graduated from the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine in 1975, and completed his Residency in Diagnostic Radiology in 1979. In 1980, he joined the department of Ultrasound at the Health Sciences Centre. Cliff had an outstanding career in medicine. He practiced for over 44 years as a Radiologist specializing in Ultrasound. He began working in the field while it was in its infancy, and contributed greatly to its development. He contributed over 30 papers to peer-reviewed journals and 27 chapters in leading imaging textbooks. He was loved and respected by his colleagues, and viewed the Ultrasound department as his second family. He served as the department’s Section Head for 22 years. Cliff leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Carol. He was a dedicated father and will be missed dearly by his children, Kim and Jeremy. Despite his busy schedule and long work hours, he was always present when his family needed him. He would do anything for those around him. He had a strong moral compass, and was known for his exceptional kindness, quick wit, and wonderful sense of humour. He was an avid stargazer, golfer, and guitarist. Services were held on September 18, 2024 at the Chesed Shel Emes. Dr. Marvin Slutchuk, Cliff’s physician and friend, led a beautiful service that highlighted Cliff’s character and impact on those around him. The family would like to recognize the team at CancerCare Manitoba, especially Dr. James Johnston, for the exceptional quality of care Cliff received throughout his treatment. We also wish to express our thanks to Dr. Ted Lyons, Cliff’s friend and coworker of 46 years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
RABBI CARLA ELYNN FREEDMAN
Rabbi Carla Freedman will go down in history as a trailblazer. Not only was she the first Canadian woman to be ordained as a rabbi, she was also the first rabbi in history to become a grandmother. With great sorrow, Rabbi Carla’s family announces that the trail reached its end when, after a short, but devastating illness, she passed away on Monday, September 23, 2024, just five weeks shy of her 80th birthday. Carla Elynn Freedman was a leader from the moment she was born. While studying at West Kildonan Collegiate in her hometown, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, she took on her first elected leadership role, serving as President of B’nai Brith Girls, District 6. In this role, she honed her storytelling skills, winning an international championship by recounting the heroics of Hannah Senesh. She also discovered what would become a deep, lifelong love of Judaism. In 1965, shortly after the birth of her first daughter, Deborah, she became one of the earliest members of Temple Shalom, Winnipeg’s first Reform synagogue. She celebrated the birth of her second daughter, Rena, in trailblazing fashion, with the Temple’s first baby naming ceremony. After earning a B.A. in English and a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Manitoba, Carla worked as a counsellor in private practice and as a management training specialist with the federal Department of Transportation. She celebrated her 40th birthday by leaving Winnipeg to pursue her passion for Reform Judaism full time. She enrolled in Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating with a master’s degree in Hebrew Letters in 1989. She was ordained the following year, becoming the first Canadian-born woman rabbi in the process. While in rabbinical school, Carla met the love of her life, Jeanne Shanin. Carla and Jeanne spent 39 joyous years together, moving throughout the U.S. as Carla took on congregational pulpits at Beth Israel Congregation in Plattsburgh, New York, Jewish Family Congregation in South Salem, New York, and since 2013, at Beth Israel Congregation in Sun City Center, Florida. In 1992, while serving in Plattsburgh, Carla achieved her most treasured accomplishment when, upon the birth of her grandson, Jesse, she became the first rabbi in history to become a grandmother. She repeated the feat two years later, with the birth of her granddaughter, Brianna. While she had a lifelong aversion to the color green, she had a world-class green thumb and an unmatched gift for keeping her hundreds of plants healthy. She found immense joy in simple pleasures: spy novels, Israeli music, anchovies, black licorice, popcorn, Rachel Maddow, Monk, and anything from the British Isles. But by far her greatest joys were serving her congregations and spending time with her family. Rabbi Carla is survived by her soulmate, Jeanne of Riverview, Florida; her daughters, Deborah Melman-Clement (Tim) of Kingston, Ontario and Rena Rubin-Hines (Michael) of Toronto; her grandchildren, Jesse Rubin of Calgary and Brianna Rubin of Toronto; her sister, Phyllis Yaffe of Toronto; and her niece, Sarah Yaffe (Jay, Lewis, and Reya) of Toronto. She was predeceased by her parents, Lou and Yetta Freedman, and by her beloved pets, Mo and Harley. The family would like to thank all those who cared for Carla with such skill and compassion. Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 25 at Beth Israel the Jewish Congregation of Sun City Center, 1115 E Del Webb Blvd., Sun City Center, Florida, 33573, USA. Shiva Minyan with open mic tributes will follow. To view the recordings, contact cowebmaster1@jcscc.org. Shiva will also be held in Toronto from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday and Monday, September 29 and 30 at 70 Rosehill Ave., #208. Please feel free to honour Rabbi Carla’s memory with a gift to Beth Israel Congregation’s newly created Rabbi Carla Freedman Memorial Fund for the purpose of bringing to the congregation live music, speakers, and scholars in residence; or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
MIRIAM MANDEL (nee LAZARECK)
The family of Miriam Mandel sadly announce her passing on September 24, 2024. As a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Sister, we will deeply miss her. Her generous and kind heart, her fun and positive nature, and she always thought of others before herself. Miriam leaves her son David, daughter Emma Lee; grandchildren, Adalena, Devorah and Yehudah; her three great-grandchildren, Dina, James and Vesna; her brothers, Melvin (Karyn), Jack (Zina) and Arnold (Libby) and nephews and nieces. She will be missed by all who knew her and remembered by all.
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