Obituaries
RHODA FELDMAN
Rhoda Feldman passed away peacefully at the age of 91 after a brief hospital stay, spending her last days surrounded by her loving family.
Rhoda was born in 1933, the only daughter of Sam and Lily Koven. She grew up in a basement apartment in Winnipeg’s North End. The second oldest child, she had an older brother Gerry and younger twin brothers Paul and Sorrel. With her father serving overseas in the Royal Canadian Corps of Engineers for six years during the Second World War, Rhoda often found herself as their caregiver. Despite the hardships experienced early in her life, she had fond memories of her childhood – in large part thanks to a caring family including her mother’s 4 vivacious sisters, who remained a presence over the years in which she built a family of her own. Regardless of, or due to, her humble beginnings, Rhoda dreamed big and possessed the energy and determination to make it happen.
Rhoda’s flair for writing was noticed early in her life by a supportive teacher. At a time when most women went straight from high school to focusing on marriage and family, Rhoda finished High School having worked on school newspapers and as yearbook editor, decided to pursue journalism. At the University of Manitoba, she wrote as a sports columnist and began approaching the Winnipeg Free Press regularly and persistently until she succeeded in finding a place there as a reporter.
Not long after starting, Rhoda hit the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press finding herself in the right place and time to cover a historic fire that levelled the Winnipeg Canoe Club.
Many of Rhoda’s closest lifelong friendships were established at the YMHA (The downtown Winnipeg Jewish Community Center) where she also met her future husband Zivey.
Rhoda and Zivey married in 1953, honeymooning in Las Vegas via a romantic road trip. They were a striking couple, glamourous and filled with promise for the future. She was just shy of 21, and too young to drink on her honeymoon. Two years later they welcomed their first child, Brian. Rhoda put her career on pause as she began her new role as mother, but later Rhoda’s career blossomed as she moved into fashion reporting for the Winnipeg Free Press. She travelled to major cities all over the world covering runways and trends. She had a legendary terrible sense of direction and would laugh recalling how she had gotten lost in every major city in the world.
During her career, she interviewed all the major designers of the era including Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. She also managed to secure an elusive interview with Estee Lauder, and she would reminisce about experiences at Studio 54 and meeting Andy Warhol.
An absolute force of nature, Rhoda spent years meeting deadlines at the paper and still putting together a huge spread for Shabbat dinner every Friday night where family attendance was mandatory, and friends were always welcome.
As a freelance journalist, Rhoda’s work was also seen in many papers and other mediums such as CBC Radio & Television.
The family takes comfort in the fond memories of their last celebration with Rhoda, that took place exactly one week before the day of her passing. They gathered to celebrate Rhoda and Zivey’s 71st wedding anniversary at the family home the couple lived in together for over 55 years.
Rhoda is survived by her husband, Zivey, her 5 children, Brian, Lisa (Herb), Karen (Larry), Susan, and Alan (Aviva), her 6 Grandchildren, Corinne, Leslie, Lyric, Clayton, Gabriel and Michael, and 6 Great-Grandchildren Donald, Cassidy, Ally, Eli, Reed and Sierra. She was predeceased by Brian’s wife, Colleen.
At the request of the family, if you would like to make any donations in Rhoda’s memory, please do so to the charity or organization of your choice.
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.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.