Obituaries
RAE SIMCES
Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Rae Simces, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, not quite reaching her 103rd birthday.
Rae is predeceased by her loving husband, William Simces, and her son-in-law, Bernard Vigod. She leaves behind a family that loves her dearly: Daughter, Zena Simces (Simon Rabkin) and Son, Neil Simces; Granddaughters, Simone Vigod (Daniel) and Michelle Vigod (Jonathan) and Grandson, Zev (Simces) Faintuch; Great Grandchildren, Abigail, Robert, Cole and Bari.
Rae was born on November 29, 1916 in Poland. She survived World War II by escaping to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and made her way with her husband and their young child, who was born in a displaced persons camp in Linz Austria, to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Rae was a woman ahead of her time in many ways. She believed that women had a role to play in society and the economy and encouraged her daughter and granddaughters to pursue higher education and contribute inside and outside the home.
She was totally devoted to her children. She loved her granddaughters and was so proud of their accomplishments. When her great grandchildren were born, they became the apples of her eye adding to the fulfillment of her life. She moved from Winnipeg, to Fredericton, to Toronto and finally to Vancouver to be close to her children and grandchildren.
She was generous and selfless, and when she gave her word, she was adamant about keeping it. She was feisty, and had a good sense of humour. Cooking, baking and sharing food were an integral part of her life. You could not go over to her house without her insisting that you have something to eat. She never went to visit anyone empty handed, she always brought food.
Several phrases from the poem – Eishet Chayil (Woman of Valor) – in the Book of Proverbs, describe her well:
Her worth is far beyond rubies She opens her hand to the needy And extends her hand to the poor She is clothed with strength and splendor She opens her mouth with wisdom Many women have done superbly But you surpass them all.
May her soul rest in peace and be reconnected with her beloved husband and soulmate.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Naomi Sharon Searles Koslovsky | Nechama Sara bat Shmuel v’Chana | 11/04/1940 | 23/03/2026 | 5 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Suzan Kravtsov | Chaya bat Shlomo v’Malka | 27/11/1935 | 23/03/2026 | 5 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Marcelo Chaffer | Moshe ben Chaim vFreda | 23/05/1959 | 20/03/2026 | 2 Nisan 5786 | New Israeli Congregation of Montevideo, Uruguay | More Info |
| Bonni Book | Basia Miriam bat Noach v’Tovah Chana | 29/04/1944 | 14/03/2026 | 25 Adar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sarah Schwartz | Sarah bat Moshe v’Leah | 21/08/1930 | 08/03/2026 | 19 Adar 5786 | Jewish Memorial Gardens, Ottawa ON | More Info |
| Jennie Goldstine | Shaindel bat Aharon v’Manya | 25/09/1929 | 06/03/2026 | 17 Adar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Shelley Fogel | Shaindel bat Yehuda v’Sarah | 16/02/1935 | 05/03/2026 | 16 Adar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
RAY SCHNOOR
June 13, 1927 – May 5, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Ray Schnoor, on May 5, 2026, just short of her 99 birthday.
Ray was predeceased by her husband of almost 71 years, Toby Schnoor. He passed away in December 2022, and she never really recovered from that loss. Ray was the last of her generation. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rose Kass, her sister, Betty Rice, and her brothers, Sidney and Jack Cass. She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Schnoor (Bruce) and Carla Nepon (Jack), her grandchildren, Taryn and David Nepon and many nieces and nephews. Regrettably, she did not live to see David’s upcoming marriage to Nicola.
Ray was completely devoted to her family; nothing was more important to her. She loved her family with all her heart and took immense pride in her children and grandchildren; she delighted in their accomplishments. She kept a traditional Jewish home and made sure that no one ever left her table hungry. She was an excellent cook and baker, even though she often wouldn’t eat her own creations because of her many (often inexplicable) food aversions. For decades, her world revolved around the weekly Friday Night Dinner, where all the family gathered. She planned it, made it, served it, reviewed it and then started again.
Less traditionally (for her time), Ray also worked outside the home, part-time, as a bookkeeper. She did that well into her 80s.
The family is grateful for the care Mom received at the Simkin Centre and for the loving dedication of her caregivers, Lisa and Terry. The last few years were difficult for Mom but we choose to remember the good times.
A graveside funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on May 8, 2026. Pallbearers were Jeffrey Schnoor, Jack Nepon, David Nepon, Kevin Rice, Randy Schnoor and Neil Stern. Larry Rice was honourary pallbearer. The family is grateful to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and shared the family’s memories and grief. The kindness of family and friends has been a great comfort.
Like Toby, Ray leaves a gap that cannot be filled, and memories that we will cherish forever. These few words cannot begin to capture the pain of our loss. We love you always, Mom, and miss you terribly.
Obituaries
LIN JOSEPH ROSENBAUM
October 17, 1952 – April 18,2026
It is with great sadness that the family marks the passing of Lin, loving son, uncle, great-uncle, brother and brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed.
Lin completed his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Manitoba. He eventually took and completed apprenticeship as an electrician and worked as a licensed electrician with his father Harry. He took pride in his work and craft and assisting his father. He was greatly valued by their customers .
Lin was adventurous , traveling throughout Europe. He was a kibbutznik, and always spoke fondly of time spent in Israel. He was an avid runner, and had participated competitively in the Boston Marathon .
He made friends well and remained committed to volunteerism with community arts , including the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. He showed great empathy to others, reflected in his work with Mood Disorders Manitoba.
Lin believed in the worth of all persons and saw the good in others. His best nature illuminated the best nature in others; to a brother, son, friend, uncle and great-uncle, always.
