Obituaries
RITA GUNN November 29, 1941 – April 18, 2023
With deep sadness the family of Rita Gunn (nee Grushko) announces the passing of our beloved Wife, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Great Aunt.
Even before she graduated from St. John’s High School, Rita fibbed about her age and started working in the Eaton’s slipper bar. After a period in retail, she married Bernie Gunn, and moved to marketing and promotions for CKY Radio. She began her university education alongside motherhood, as an adult student. During this time, she became a crisis counsellor for Klinic, setting the stage for a lifetime commitment to feminism and social justice.
Well into her forties, Rita earned her Master of Arts in Sociology at the University of Manitoba, completing a thesis on the failure of the criminal justice system in supporting victims of sexual assault. This eventually became a book (co-authored with Candice Minch) published by the University of Manitoba Press: Sexual Assault: The Dilemma of Disclosure. She lectured in Women’s Studies at the university and was a guest speaker at conferences in Canada and abroad.
When many contemplate slowing down, Rita embarked on a career as a management consultant, co-founding Prairie Research Associates in 1988 with her second husband Gregory Mason and Kerry Dangerfield. Thereupon followed a 27-year career where she directed major studies in criminal justice, health, and the arts. One of her favourite projects was an evaluation of the Inuit Art Foundation, which saw her travel throughout remote northern communities visiting artists in their studios and homes. A painting gifted to her by Simon Tookoomee was among her treasured possessions.
Rita gave generously of her time, serving as a life member of the National Council of Jewish Women. She also was on the Board of MTC and led the revitalization of the Black and White Ball to become one of Winnipeg’s premier fund-raising events.
Rita lived life large. She was a fabulous cook, though any meal she prepared always seemed to have more leftovers than food at the start. She cared for her father when his health faltered and attended her mother during her years in long term care. She always dropped anything she was doing to support her grandchildren. She was the ideal travel companion, always game for an adventure and new sights. Anyone who met her quickly realized they had encountered a force of nature: charming, astute, and generous to a fault.
Rita was predeceased by her parents Jack Grushko and Pearl Grushko (nee Levine), sister Geraldine Sugarman (nee Grushko) and brother in-law Jack Sugarman.
Left to mourn and remember Rita are her husband Gregory Mason, sister Brenda Casey (Peter), son Danny Gunn (Karen Blicker), daughter Alana Gunn (Steven Gall), and grandchildren Matthew Gunn, Jeremy Gunn, Jonah Gall, Ariella Gunn, and Raeya Gall. Also deeply saddened by Rita’s passing are nephews/nieces Jeff Sugarman, Rochelle Winterton, Noah Casey, and Jessica Musoke (Ronnie), great nieces/nephew, Niria Sugarman, Aziza Musoke and Keon Musoke, sister-in-law Cathy Albrecht (Sam) and Skylar Albrecht.
The family thanks the palliative care team at WRHA and the caregivers who helped Rita pass at home after her prolonged illness. Most notably, we owe a debt of gratitude to Joy Senyondwa, who tended to Rita selflessly to the last. Also, we appreciate the kindness of Helen Funk and Valerie Firth who offered Rita hours of companionship and compassion.
If you wish to remember Rita, please donate to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
JACOB (JACK) KLEIMAN FEBRUARY 8, 1927 – AUGUST 19, 2024

It was with great sorrow that we announced the passing of Jacob (Jack) Kleiman (Jacob ben Moishe) on Monday August 19, 2024 (16, Av) in his 98th year.
He was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Rose Kleiman, his brother, Harvey, and his sisters, Florence (the late Louis Selby), Betty (the late Joseph Gilfix) and Ruth (the late Ben Aisenstat). He is survived by his sister Ann of Bethesda, U.S.A. (the late Harold Eist). He will be missed by his many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces.
Jack’s maternal grandparents were among the pioneer families established in the then Hirsch Colony (founded 1892) by the Jewish Colonization Association in the Southeast corner of Saskatchewan. Jack and his late brother Harvey lived and farmed on the same land purchased by their parents in the area.
In later years he and his brother developed many business interests: initially farm implement and automotive sales and later oil exploration companies including Poplar Developments Ltd., drilling locally. They were well known in the surrounding community and were generous supporters of local charitable initiatives such as the Estevan General Hospital.
Jack and his brother were the last Jewish farmers in the Hirsch area and over the years were the subject of many literary articles and television interviews. Jack and his brother helped to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the Hirsch area until it was taken over as a historical site by the province. Due to advancing age, the family farm was sold in 2016 and both retired to Calgary to be nearer to family. This marked the closing of one chapter of Jewish history in Canada.
Jack was a talented mechanic who remained married to the land and devoted to his family. He was ever of good spirit. Although frail in body, Jack remained active mentally and involved in life until the end being always interested in the happenings of his extended family.
It is hard to adequately sum up a long life marked by both hard work, dedication to family, and good humour. The entire family remember him and honour him with love, affection, and good memories.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbours in the Estevan area who provided help and support during his last years and especially to his dedicated care givers in Calgary.
The funeral was held in Calgary on August 22, 2024, at the Chevra Kadisha Chapel with interment at the 37th Street Jewish Cemetery.
The unveiling will take place on July 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the same location. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
EDITH LANDY

June 30, 1920 – July 2, 2025
After a long and fulfilling life, our Mother passed on July 2, 2025. Born in Winnipeg, she grew up as part of a large extended family.
Mother was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Mayer Freiden and Rivka (nee Fordman), our father, David Landy, and her sisters Syma Katz and Jennie Rich. Edith is survived by her five children and their families: Laurie Landy and Nora Spinks, Barbara and Paul Livingston, Bob and Rhonda Landy, Mark Landy and Jenifer, and Martin Landy, her grandchildren Saralyn, Adam, Alex, Joshua, Ethan, Caitlin, David, Alicia, Lily, and six great-grandchildren, her cousins Norma Chernick and Shlomo Mayman and her many friends and relatives.
Mom grew up as part of a large extended family in the North End of Winnipeg, guided by her father’s values of service, community and the importance of family. She entered the School of Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, now the Health Sciences Centre. She progressed from general duty nurse to nursing supervisor and served as the Assistant Director of Nursing for 15 years until her retirement in 1983. Over the course of her five-decade nursing career, she raised five children, managed a household, cared for many extended family members and remained actively involved in the community.
Community was a foundation of Mom’s life. Mom was very proud of her volunteering at the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Winnipeg Folk Fest and other community events. She and David were patrons of the arts, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Opera. In 2024, she was recognized as the longest continuous subscriber to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The North Centennial Seniors Association played an important role in our parents’ later years. She ran her kitchen crew, supervised Hot Dog Day and provided food for many bus trips. Mom’s legacy was the Grandma Grandpa Swim Club, which she established, raised funds for, and built into a strong organization.
After a long and remarkable life of service and giving care, Mom accepted the need to receive care. The Family would like to thank Melita and Nelissa for their care and dedication, as well as the staff of the Simkin Centre, especially on Weinberg 2.
We cannot put into words how much she will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Joseph Freiden Scholarship for Jewish Studies at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A service was held July 4, 2025, at Chesed Shel Emes – Winnipeg.
Obituaries
SUSAN DIANA FRANKEL

In the kitchen above her to-do list, Susan Diana Frankel kept a comic strip of a mother bird encouraging her baby to take its first leap into flight. “Go for it!” reads the speech bubble above the mother bird. But a second bubble shows her thinking silently to herself: Just don’t go too far.
I’ve always thought that image perfectly captured our mom. She was our biggest cheerleader and greatest supporter – and out of sheer love, she wanted to spend as much time with her family as possible: Matthew and Elly, Robby and Rae, Jed and Eugenia, and our devoted dad, Harvey, her partner of 45 years. In addition to being a loving mother and spouse, she was a perfect grandmother – or “Boba” – to her three granddaughters: Romi, Esti, and Aria, whom she loved obsessively. Our mom passed away at home on June 4. She was our best friend, and to say we are devastated or that we will miss her greatly feels wholly inadequate.
Predeceased by her parents Max and Esther Weinstein and her older brother Joel (Cathie), she will forever be loved and remembered by her brothers Sidney (Grace) and Barry (Sharon), her sister Ronni (Michael), her confidante Edie (Marcel), as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and very close friends.
Susan was born the youngest of five children on February 8, 1958, in Winnipeg. The Weinstein family lived in Melville, Saskatchewan, until 1963 before settling in Winnipeg for good. She spent summers in Gimli and at BB Camp, attended both Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba (as well as spending a semester at the University of Miami while visiting her parents at their winter condo in Florida – Go Hurricanes!).
My mom married our dad, Harvey, in 1981. They were a shining example of a loving partnership – completely devoted to each other in sickness and in health. They raised us three boys to be close and family-oriented. It feels strange to reduce some of my mom’s favourite places and memories to a list, but that list would include: the family cottage in Gimli, traveling to Palm Springs, Florida, Toronto, Hawaii, Italy, and Las Vegas, shopping and dining with friends and family, playing Mahj, chatting about movies and shows, dragging my dad to social outings and making him change his outfit before they left the house, watching Winnipeg Jets games, and constantly rewatching videos of her granddaughters.
Our mom had a way of making people she’d just met feel like part of her inner circle. She was genuinely interested in what you were doing, how it was going, and how she could help. She asked questions (sometimes a few too many!) because she cared – never because she was nosy. She had a wonderful sense of humour and truly loved to laugh. When something was really funny, you’d sometimes get a snort and even a tear or two. She was simply the best.
Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received during this extremely difficult time. A special thank-you to the healthcare workers who gave our mom such a remarkable quality of life despite living with stage 4 cancer for more than seven years: Dr. Marshall Pitz, all the nurses and staff at CancerCare, her homecare worker Lisa, and our family’s incredible friend and caregiver, Gemma Marciano.