Obituaries
RITA VINE
After a life long lived, it is with loving memories and sad hearts we announce the passing of Rita Vine on June 23, 2022 at the age of 91.
Left with treasured memories are her children Marty and Pam, Cindy and Marc, and grandchildren Jordan(Tali), Riley(Bev), Amy(Liam), Jesse, and Seth. Rita was predeceased by her devoted and much loved husband of 60 years, Alec, who passed in 2014, parents, Rose and Nathan Garfinkel, and by her brother and sister-in-law Irv and Shirley Garfinkel.
Rita was born in Winnipeg on September 7, 1930, and grew up in the South End of the city. She lived with her parents and various members of extended family in their family grocery stores, and attended Kelvin High from which she graduated. Rita worked as a secretary in the Legislative Building until she married the love of her life Alec in 1953 and became a housewife and stay at home mom to Marty and Cindy. She was a devoted mother to her children, and a loving and caring daughter to her mother who she looked after for many years. When faced with difficult times throughout our dad’s lengthy illness, she demonstrated a strength and devotion that was an inspiration to all, first looking after him at home, then spending every day with him at the Simkin Centre where he spent his last years.
Rita enriched the lives of her family, friends, and acquaintances with her love, caring, and humour. She enjoyed watching her children mature, succeed in their careers, and start their own families. She took great pride in her grandchildren and so enjoyed hearing about their lives and accomplishments.
Rita and Alec were a wonderful team and had a loving 60 year marriage. They had a close circle of lifelong friends and were engaged in numerous activities. Saturday nights out ‘for a bite’ with the group went on for years as did travels to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Mexico with various members of their gang. Rita was proud of her Jewish heritage and volunteered with ORT and other organizations over the years. She made long lasting connections and still cherished her childhood friends from Kelvin High. She remained close with her Maj group and developed new friendships in her later years as she navigated her new normal, living on her own with Alec a resident in the Simkin Centre. Credit to her for being able to reinvent her life and welcome new friends and experiences at this later stage of her life.
Although we are saddened by the loss of a loved family member, we celebrate the life of an accomplished women, wife, mother, and grandmother. It is said in the Jewish faith that people never leave as long as you remember them. We will cherish the long life she lived and the memories we made with her, rather than ask why we cannot have more. She lived a beautiful life blessed with family and friends and leaves us with many loving memories to hold in our hearts.
As a family we are grateful and extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff on Weinberg One at the Simkin Centre where our mom spent her last years, and to Leizl whose caring and compassion are so appreciated. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Monday June 27, 2022. Pallbearers were Jordan Vine, Riley Streifler, Amy Vine, Jesse Streifler, Seth Streifler and Harvey Garfinkel. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Shaarey Zedek, The Simkin Centre, or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
TEDDY MULLER
In the early hours of September 29, 2025, holding the hands of his beloved daughter and granddaughter, Teddy quietly passed away just weeks before his 100th birthday. His passing coincided with the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, a sign of how honourably Teddy lived his life.
Teddy was born October 25 to his loving parents, Shlomo and Luisa in Balavasar, Romania and remained proud of his Transylvanian roots. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older siblings, Lola and Zoli. Life drastically changed with the onset of the war. Teddy was forced into a slave labour camp while his siblings and mother were taken to concentration camps. His mother was murdered the day before liberation at Auschwitz, something that haunted him the rest of his life. Teddy’s entire testimony of the brutality that he endured is documented in the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation archive.
In the Fall of 1947, Teddy arrived in Winnipeg and within 24 hours was working as an upholsterer and didn’t stop until he was 88 years old. Along the way he was introduced to his beautiful Marie. They were married in 1950 during the flood and spent nearly 70 years together. Two young Holocaust survivors, with a mutual understanding of persecution and loss, began to build their lives together. They built a family with a strong and loving foundation. Their business, Art Upholstering, was built on honesty, respect and a commitment to craftsmanship. Teddy was always proud of the homes he had furnished and the connections he made with his customers. He was especially proud of restoring historical furnishings from Parks Canada. Teddy never had to take out an ad as his sterling reputation spoke for itself. Teddy had golden hands that crafted high quality showcases of his trade and artisanship. The same resilience that brought him through the war, brought him through a devastating fire where no arsonist was going to dictate his future. With the help of Fred and Cynthia Brick, Teddy rebuilt Art Upholstering from the ashes.
Family and friends were the most important things to Teddy. To know him was to love him. His charismatic and engaging personality left lasting impressions. His historical aptitude made him a force to be reckoned with in any debate.
Teddy revelled in the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the world to him. He took his role as patriarch to heart. His support and love for his family was unconditional. He especially rose to the role of Zaidie and great-Zaidie Teddy Bear. He was a giver and never asked for much. Sitting on his deck, surrounded by his plants and apple tree filled his heart and soul.
Aging in his home was very important to Teddy. The compassionate care of Erlyn, his Joy, Timmalee, Adeena, Rose, Johnny and Marty was instrumental in maintaining Teddy’s dignity and independence and fulfilling his wish. Teddy’s quality of life was maintained thanks to the dedication of Dr. Brenda Hildebrand and her caring team. Regular visits from Chris, Gail, Alex, Allan and Emily kept Teddy engaged and stimulated.
Teddy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Marie, his devoted son-in-law, Marshall, and granddaughter Jada. He is survived by his beloved daughter Laya, cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Gabi (Benji) and Skye (Cam), treasured great-grandchildren Alex, Maddy, Mavis, Mickey and Dori, as well as his son Marvin, and loving granddaughters Ilana and Timna.
Donations may be made to the Marshall S. Kneller Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or any organization supporting Israel, a cause near and dear to Teddy’s heart.
Obituaries
RUTH KLAPMAN December 20, 1929 – September 24, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Ruth Klapman.
Ruth lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She was devoted to her late husband, Sam, her partner for 68 years. Together, they brought joy to every gathering-always the first to dance and the last to say goodbye.
Ruth was deeply committed to volunteer work. She gave her time to organizations including Hadassah, ORT, the National Council of Jewish Women, Pioneer Women, and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She chaired the ORT thrift store for 14 years, and she sang in Israel as a member of the Rosh Pina Synagogue Choir.
Ruth spent every summer at Winnipeg Beach, sharing komish and other treats with generations of neighbourhood children who would visit the cottage throughout the day. She was everybody’s ‘Bubbie’. Winters were spent in Palm Springs, welcoming her children and grandchildren for fun in the sun.
Ruth was a true party person who loved spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings. Her home was a place where people came together to share meals, stories, and laughter. She enjoyed travelling the world and never refusing an invitation, no matter where it was.
Mother to Sandi (Sam Malamud), Marla Bernstein, Hartley (Drew Salter), and Jody (Brian Goldberg); grandmother to Andrew (Hilary), Allan (Alona), Aaron (Alanna), Jason (Lindsay), Steven (Alexis), Dana (Tom), Brady (Matt), Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby), and Kevin (Ilana).
Great-grandmother to Florie, Stan, Juniper, Angus, Isaac, Otto, Cole, Chase, Charlotte, Rory, Mason, and Romi; sister-in-law to Sandy Youssiem; Auntie Ruthie to many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents Reuben and Rose Youssiem, and her brother Saul Youssiem.
A special thank you to Marivel Toledo for her many years of care and dedication, and to Lorna Allen and Fabi Patriarca for their great support.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for officiating the funeral service, which took place on September 26, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520.
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.