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
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).
Obituaries
EDWARD (BARNEY) SEGAL
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edward “Barney” Segal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 70.
Barney will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his sister, Elaine (Paul) Olin; his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephew: Jason Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Jessica and Shirley Ransby; Brenlee, David, Hayley, and Leah Selchen; and Daniel, Jordi, Poppy, and Skylar Olin; Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman; and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Sam Segal (1998) and Louise Segal (2006), and by his sister, Dolly Chisick (December 2025).
Barney was born on April 27, 1955, in Winnipeg, where he lived his entire life. He spent his formative years on Lansdowne Avenue, a place that remained close to his heart and was filled with many fond memories throughout his life. Barney was the youngest of four children, and from an early age, he was a spirited and energetic presence, full of personality and spark.
Barney carried that same determination and energy into his adult life. With an unwavering work ethic, he pursued a career in education while working full-time, earning his degree from the University of Manitoba. He went on to dedicate many years to teaching and supporting schools throughout Winnipeg. Barney took great pride in helping students grow, always striving to make a lasting impression on the young people whose lives he touched.
He was fiercely loyal to his family, his friends, and the communities he served. Barney found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments: cheering on the Chicago Bears, sharing vivid stories about his parents and days gone by, riding his motorcycle, and heading out on long road trips in his beloved Jeep, “Sparky,” always in search of the next good story.
Barney will be remembered for his strong spirit, his storytelling, his sense of humor, and the genuine care he showed to those around him. His presence filled a room, and his absence leaves a space that cannot be replaced. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 6, at Chesed Shel Emes, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl. Pallbearers were Daniel Olin, Jason Olin, Laurie Gorenstein, Jeff Brown, Gavin Rich, and Mark Lomow. Honorary pallbearers were Brenlee Selchen, David Selchen, Shannon Chisick-Harman, Charlie Harman, Jordi Olin, Carrie Shenkarow, Rick Lousier, Ben Szymkow, Ron Nelson, Leroy Fox, Robert Marvin, and Gerry Dudley.
In memory of Barney, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.