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
| Dick Bell | Daniel ben David v’Chana | 28/12/1927 | 19/07/2026 | 5 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Nerman | Rivka bat Shlomo v’ Shaindel Leah | 30/05/1954 | 18/07/2026 | 4 Av 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Garry Israel Frankel | Gershon Israel ben Shlomo Moshe v’Miriam | 14/08/1953 | 13/07/2026 | 28 Tamuz 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Caroline Shelley Raber | Tzipi bat Yisrael v’Ita | 30/01/1955 | 11/07/2026 | 26 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Estelle Meyers | Esther Tzivia | 26/10/1941 | 10/07/2026 | 25 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Alice Grace Lazar | Sarah bat Avraham v’Sarah | 27/12/1926 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Paula Wolfman | Piya bat Mordechai v’Esther | 15/09/1953 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Sharon Ricki Feuer | Sharona Rivka bat Avraham v’Sarah | 14/05/1940 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Neil Margolis | Nissan ben Chaim Nechemia v’Deveorah | 29/07/1936 | 01/07/2026 | 16 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Paul Nemy | Solomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel | 01/04/1947 | 23/06/2026 | 8 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kadys | Moshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla | 12/01/1945 | 19/06/2026 | 4 Tamuz 5786 | Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave | More Info |
| Richard Gordon | Yitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina | 06/11/1943 | 14/06/2026 | 29 Sivan 5786 | Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MB | More Info |
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham 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 |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
ESTELLE (TZIVIE) MEYERS
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Estelle (Tzivie) Meyers, who passed away on July 10, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born on October 26, 1941, in Winnipeg, Canada, Tzivie lived a life defined by love, strength, and devotion to her family and community.
Tzivie dedicated her life to education, beginning at an early age at Herzlia Academy and continuing throughout her career in early childhood education within the public school system. In her later years, she found great joy in teaching adults. Her generosity and commitment to learning touched the lives of many over several decades. She was widely respected for her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. She also found joy in music, gardening, and volunteer work, especially with the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Tzivie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose love and guidance will remain a lasting legacy to all those she leaves behind.
Tzivie passed away on what would have been her 66th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, Ron Meyers. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Jeffrey (Lori), Brian (Fatuma), and Adrienne (Anibal); her grandchildren, Jeremy, Ethan, Amira (Ziyad), Halima, Sara, and Ronen; her great-granddaughter, Bushra; and her siblings, Harvey (Pat) and Karin. She was predeceased by her husband, Ron.
Her legacy of love, resilience, and generosity will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Funeral services were held on July 13, 2026, at Congregation Shaarey Zedek and were officiated by her dear friend and clergy member, Cantor Leslie Emery. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Pat Harris and the team at Palliative Care Manitoba for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Magen David Adom, or Palliative Care Manitoba – causes that were close to her heart.
Though she is no longer with us, her love, wisdom, and spirit will remain with all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Obituaries
SHELDON BERNEY
October 6, 1936 – July 28, 2026
Sheldon Berney has died peacefully at his home in Palm Beach at the age of 89, with his wife, Florence Metzger-Berney, by his side, leaving behind a legacy of family and friends, hard work, and philanthropy.
Born to Ada (Loban) (z”l) and Martin Berney (z”l) Sheldon lived an extraordinary life in Winnipeg before retiring to Florida.
Sheldon is predeceased by his first wife, Carole Berney (z”l). He is survived by his wife, Florence Metzger-Berney; his daughters, Dawn and Nancy Berney (Julius Erdstein); his seven grandchildren, Martina Erdstein (Simon Garfinkel), Molly Erdstein, Eli Erdstein, Calvin Erdstein, Tanya Geggie, Simone Geggie, and Cleo Geggie (and their father, Christopher Geggie); and his siblings, Cynthia Wine (Philip Slayton), Naomi Horodezky (Sandy Horodezky), and Carl Berney (Gaynor Berney).
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 5th 10:00 am at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery (235 Armstrong Ave), reception to follow: Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Shiva will be held at the Fort Garry Hotel – Thursday (10:00 am -12:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm) and Friday (10:00 am -12:00pm).

