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
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.
Obituaries
ROSALYN GOLFMAN (née LINHART)
Rosalyn Golfman (née Linhart) passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Winnipeg to Jack and Clara Linhart, Roz and her brother Sam grew up with a deep appreciation for education, music, and community. Her father, along with her mother who was an accomplished singer and performer in Jewish plays and on radio, instilled in her a deep appreciation for both hard work and family traditions. The tragedy of the Holocaust, which claimed the majority of her mother’s immediate family, profoundly shaped Rosalyn’s outlook on life, nurturing in her a strong sense of identity, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish heritage.
Growing up in a home filled with music, the aromas of traditional cooking, and the warmth of family celebrations, Roz developed a lifelong connection to her roots. Her devotion to the Jewish community continued throughout her life as she volunteered and chaired various programs at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and served as a member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Education was one of Rosalyn’s greatest passions. She earned her B.A., M.Ed., a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Masters in Family Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, Roz worked for 43 years dedicating her career to helping others. Rosalyn also served as President of the Manitoba Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Chair of its Ethics Committee and taught at various times at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, and at Red River Community College.
Rosalyn’s greatest devotion was to her husband of more than 60 years, Charles (Chuck) Golfman. Together they traveled the globe and shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Their mutual curiosity led them to explore new places, lectures and forums, always seeking to expand their understanding of people and the world around them. Roz and Chuck raised three children – Jeff (Helen Huang), Lisa (Steve Kroft) and Jill (Mark Kantor). Her grandchildren – Angela, Nathan, Alex and Maya – were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them, whether during family dinners, at her beloved Clearwater Bay, or on family trips. Rosalyn’s brother Sam (Judy) was a constant source of support, and the times Roz and Chuck spent with Sam and Judy in Phoenix and Aspen were always highlights for her. Family events with nieces, nephews, her numerous cousins and other relatives were also very special for Roz.
Rosalyn will be remembered for her compassion, intellect and unwavering devotion to family, her friends, and her Jewish faith. The values she instilled in her family will endure through them.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported Roz with gentleness, dignity and love. Thank you also to Dr. Marshall Pitz, Kim Paradoski and the caring and talented doctors and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba and Grace Hospital who assisted Rosalyn and our family during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rosalyn and Chuck Golfman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.