Obituaries
ROCHELLE BLUMENTHAL (née Schwartz) July 4, 1935 – March 13, 2019
Rochelle Blumenthal died peacefully and in her own time on March 13, 2019. Predeceased by her parents, Abraham and Sophie (Cristall) Schwartz, her sister Ethel, brothers Harold and Wilfred and her beloved husband Sidney Blumenthal.
Left to miss her are her children Susan (Ab Freig), Heather (Otto Ehren), Brian (Lisa Mendelson) and Jennifer (Danny Bubis), her grandchildren Rebecca, Layla, Zachary, Myles, Ira, Spencer and Jack, her brother Bernard (Barbara) and a legion of family and friends, including her long-time companion and friend Ashoke Dasgupta.
Mom was a Winnipeger – and an ardent Winnipeg Beacher — all her life, but for a short stay in Montreal after graduating from university. She grew up on Glenwood Crescent, attending St. John’s Tech High School where, according to her yearbook write-up, she had a hard time managing her school work with all her club memberships. She continued her education at the University of Manitoba, where, true to form, she was involved in all aspects of campus and sorority life.
After getting married and having her children, Mom found an outlet for her skills in volunteer work, becoming involved in the National Council of Jewish Women, the provision of hearing tests to schoolchildren and Future for Youth, an organization devoted to youth with mental health problems. Later, after the death of Sidney in 1978, Mom went back to school to become a library technician and worked in various libraries for several years.
Nothing made Mom happier than to be surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Raising her four children, she said, was her greatest achievement, especially in the years after Sidney died. Nothing made her prouder than seeing her children flourish – except perhaps her grandchildren. And nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by all her children and grandchildren at the table for holidays or special events – like Wednesday.
In her retirement years, she became a mainstay of Winnipeg Friends of the Public Library, an enormously satisfying undertaking for her. She also played a mean hand of bridge and delighted in the daily trivia quizzes at her home, The Wellington, which, thanks to her wide and constant reading, she regularly aced.
Mom’s family would like to thank the staff of the cardiology ward, critical care unit and palliative care ward at the St. Boniface Hospital for their comfort and care. And especially we would like to thank Maria Desousa, who has been so much to Mom over the past several years.
Funeral will take place at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on Friday March 15, 2019.
To honour Mom’s memory, the family would appreciate donations to Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library or the Rochelle Blumenthal Women’s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
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.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.