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Obituaries

POLLY TENNENHOUSE

 

 

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Polly Tennenhouse announces her sudden passing on January 16, 2015.
Mom was born in 1919 in the small town of Ponevezh, Lithuania, which was renowned for its Yeshivot and education of Torah Scholars. 

She was born into an orthodox family who by the grace of G-d were asked by relatives in Manitoba to move here prior to the Holocaust.  Mom was always grateful for her good fortune as all of the Jews in Ponevezh were murdered in 1941.
Once here, Mom and her family lived on a farm in Stonewall.  Eventually she met Dad who lived nearby and they were married in 1937.  They had a wonderful marriage of 49 years and were each other’s confidants and best friends until Dad passed away in 1987.  Together they raised their children in a home filled with love, respect and yiddishkeit.
Mom was a traditional homemaker who ensured, with Dad, that commitment to Judaism was paramount.  There was synagogue every Saturday, a kosher home, the lighting of Shabbat candles and Jewish education for us.  Mom and Dad taught us about the importance of family and the caring for others.  These values provided the foundation of our development.  They were not materialistic and did much for their community without fanfare or glory.  One example is their help and rescue of family survivors of the Shoah who arrived in Winnipeg.  Mom and Dad’s home was always open for those who needed a place to live or visit.  Dad found them jobs and provided them with hope.  Mom and Dad helped so many survivors and later Russian immigrants escape the darkness of Europe and find the light at 411 Bannerman Ave. and 773 Airlies St.
Mom and Dad were always at each other’s side.  We were afraid for Mom after Dad died but she surprised us with her inner strength.  She had her friends and family and enjoyed simple pleasures.  With the help of many she lived in her own home without any lingering illness or pain until she quietly passed away by the kiss of G-d.
Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband, Lazer, and brother, Sam.  She will be missed, most of all, by her children and spouses, Judy (Bill), Penny (Bill) and Howard (Susan), five granddaughters, Tracy (Jeff), Dana, Lauren, Ellie and Shira, two great grandsons, Nathan and Jonah and numerous nieces and nephews.
Many thanks to pallbearers, Ed, Morley, Bill, Jesse, Josh and Jonathan at the Chesed Shel Emes and later Susan, Lauren, Ellie, Shira, Tracy and Morley at Etz Chayim.
Special thanks to Mom’s doctor, Claire Jaeger, for her excellent care and sensitivity.  Words cannot express our gratitude to Mom’s caregivers, Bathsheba, Grace and Marilyn who provided Mom with not only wonderful physical care but love and respect.
May her memory be a blessing and may her soul be bound up in the bond of life.

 

 

 

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Obituaries

DONALD (DON) BASS

1938-2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Donald (Don) Bass on May 14, 2025.

Don is survived by his partner of 25 years Darlene, children, Eileen Fortin (Tim) and Hartley Bass, stepchildren Pyper (Jesse) and Palmer and sister Lynda. He was also a beloved grandfather to Kelsey and Taylor and Zaidie to Rooney and Lux.

Don was predeceased by his parents Abe and Gloria Bass and by his son Jonathon.

Don was born in Fort William, Ontario in 1938. He came to Winnipeg to attend university but ultimately made his mark operating Dutchmaid Ice Cream, including manufacturing ice cream for dairies across Western Canada gaining him the title of “Emperor of Ice Cream”.

During and after operating Dutchmaid, Don also managed rental properties in and around the Osborne Village.

Don was more than an entrepreneur and an astute businessman; he was a man of decency, generosity, integrity and compassion. He treated everyone he met with respect, offering help in any way he could.

Don was also known for his sarcasm and sense of humour earning him the added title of “Real Character”.

Don loved family, he loved people, and he loved his annual trips to South Florida.

Funeral and burial were held on May 20 at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery with the Meal of Condolence at Temple Shalom.

Donations can be made to the General Fund at Temple Shalom or to the Gloria and Abe Bass Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.


May Don’s memory be a blessing.

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Obituaries

Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025

Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.

Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.

Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.

Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.

In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.

Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell

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Obituaries

LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.

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