Obituaries
PHYLLIS DEAN BOXER
With great sadness we announce the passing of Phyllis Boxer, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Phyllis passed away peacefully at the Heath Sciences Centre at age 93 on September 3rd, 2019.
Phyllis will be sadly missed by her loving family: Irene Boxer-Meyrowitz & Dr. David Meyrowitz (daughter & son-in-law), Jody Boxer-Leslie (grandson), Elana & Jonathan Waldman (granddaughter & grandson-in-law), Kaia Waldman (great granddaughter), Jesse Boxer-Meyrowitz (grandson), and her devoted sister, Cornelia Little.
The funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Friday, September 6th, 2019.
Phyllis was predeceased by her parents, Sylvia (Granovsky) and David Wolfe, her daughter Jackie, her husband Albert, and her brother Dr. Allen Wolfe.
Phyllis was born in Winnipeg in 1926, into a Russian-Jewish immigrant family. She was a middle child, with an older brother (Allen) and a younger sister (Cornelia). Phyllis grew up in Crescentwood. They were one of a handful of Jewish families living in south Winnipeg. Her Jewish roots were keenly felt.
She was an introvert, in a large extended eastern European family clan of extroverts. She was a free spirit, with an internal softness, yet a strong core like a diamond.
She went to Robert H. Smith School, Kelvin High School, and United College for Grade 12. She met and married her husband, Albert Boxer, around age 20.
Albert was 9 years older than she, interesting because 9 years was the difference in age between herself and each of her siblings. Albert was in the Air force during WWII, in the Italian campaign and in North Africa. He was a larger than life extrovert, just like Dave Wolfe (Phyllis’s father). My father Albert adored Phyllis and was very devoted to her happiness. They were a strong couple.
Phyllis loved beauty and surrounded herself with things of beauty. Her parents were in the retail clothing industry (Milady’s). My beautiful, glamourous and unique mother had the most gorgeous clothes in the world and was always stunning.
Phyllis had a strong love for Judaism, for our history, for learning, for education, and social justice issues. She and Albert were our role models for Tikun Olam. She loved reading and read incessantly. She did not have a TV.
Phyllis loved the arts. She was an accomplished piano and guitar player. She adored dancing and participated in several Winnipeg dance groups, dancing regularly until she was 90 years old. She loved ballet, tap and especially Flamingo dancing. We all remember going to her dance performances, watching my dad in the front row, quelling over his gorgeous and accomplished wife.
We all admired her inner strength, her spirit, her resilience, and her ability to put one foot in front of the other and keep going day by day through life’s adversities. She taught us to be strong, hopeful and resilient, and for those gifts, mom, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
In her late 80s Phyllis developed some health issues which slowed her down and gradually took her independence and eventually her life. She was fiercely independent, even until the day of her death.
Mom, we wish you a good journey, full of light and unconditional love.
Sincere thanks to hospital staff at Grace, St. Boniface and HSC, the Simkin Centre, Myra at Harmony Court, Dr. Bijay Johnson, Dr. Michael Cossoy, Dr. Kaldas and Dr. Ajao.
We are very grateful to the pallbearers, Jesse Boxer-Meyrowitz, Jon Waldman, Brett Gladstone, Avi Waldman, Daniel Moscovitch, and Zach Wiseman. We are fortunate to have such loving and loyal friends and family, who have supported us in so many ways, through the loss of so many of our family members. Thank you all for your support during these difficult times.
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.