Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.

Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard.  The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.

He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.

Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg.  He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.

Isaac was a survivor.  He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation.  He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.  

After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally.    He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates.  His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation.  He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten.  He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.  

At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies.  At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.   

Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many.  He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke.  He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital.  He was a very intelligent, self-educated man.  He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.  

Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg.  It will also be live streamed.   Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.

Dr. Norman Goldberg passed away on January 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He made the world a better place.

Norman was born on April 2, 1948, to Evelyn and David Goldberg, who raised him and his siblings, Harvey and Penny, to work hard to reach their potential. Always an excellent student, he was a finalist on the high school television quiz show “Reach for the Top”, earned his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, and became a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine.

Dr. Goldberg was a beloved physician, known for his compassion, up-to-date knowledge, diagnostic acumen, and endless patience. He embraced the management of complex cases including children with brain injuries, disabilities, HIV, and developmental and adolescent issues. He was a tireless advocate for the children in his care.

He was a university teacher and mentor and received the Dr. Leighton N. Young Distinguished Pediatrician Award. He served on many hospital teams including two decades with the Pediatric Brain Injury team.

Dr. Goldberg was able to calm the children’s fears. He spoke directly to them. He took off his white coat so they would not be afraid. For children with sleep problems, he sometimes dispensed his famous invention: a spray bottle filled with diluted mouthwash which bore an official label with his name, signature, and prescriber number. The label said “Monster Spray – use under the bed as needed”. It worked. (Patent pending)

His volunteer work impacted many. He was a founding director of the Winnipeg Ronald McDonald House. He served in leadership roles in the Manitoba and Canadian Pediatric Societies, the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, the Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba, Planned Parenthood, and many other organizations. He served on two synagogue boards. He helped lead a major project to settle refugees from Darfur.

Norman was a devoted husband, father, and Zaide (grandfather). His 53-year marriage with Marilyn was a loving partnership. They were best friends and each other’s cheerleaders. The dreams of their youth came true.

Norman’s children, Aviva, Amy, and Daniel, were the light of his life. He gave them unconditional love and support. He played with them, comforted them, encouraged them, read to them, and taught them what they needed to thrive. He overruled Marilyn when the children wanted a puppy. He instilled in them a love of Judaism, taking them to synagogue, dressing as Moses for a Passover Seder, blessing them at Shabbat dinners, and celebrating their Bar and Bat Mitzvot. He recently said how blessed he was to see his children become generous, kind, fulfilled adults, all with loving partners. They are his finest legacy.

His grandsons, Sam and Isaac, gave him further joy. Zaide played pranks on them, made them his secret scrambled eggs recipe, and loved every moment spent with them.

Norman will be lovingly remembered by Marilyn, Harvey (Ruth), Penny, Aviva (Greg Di Cresce, Sam and Isaac), Amy (Dan Poxon, Abi and Caleb), Daniel (Hilary Bohn), Frank (Mercedes), Laurie (Lesley), Jerry (Merle); our family, friends, his colleagues and patients.

Our deepest thanks to the many kind people who cared for, comforted and supported Norman and our family both before and after his passing.

Donations in Norman’s memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, or a charity of your choice.

Norman was a “gitte neshuma”, a good soul. May his memory be a blessing.