Rochelle Putter, passed away on February 5, 2015 in Winnipeg at the age of 93. She was born Rachel Laya in Poland to Levi and Fanny Sommer.
She arrived in Winnipeg with her sister Norma as a very young child. Her brother Alex was born here. Rochelle grew up in the North End, attending William Whyte School and St. John’s Tech along with Talmud Torah in the evenings.
As a young woman, Rachel moved to Montreal, changed her name to Rochelle and met Joseph Putter. They married in 1942, and had Sharon, Judith, David and Daniel, before returning to Winnipeg and raising their children here. Her homes on Enniskillen, Rupertsland and her Winnipeg Beach cottage on Poplar were places where friends gathered to eat her amazing cooking and have lots of fun. Rochelle was also involved in community through Na’amat, the Combined Jewish Appeal, and Rosh Pina Synagogue. As she became a Bubbe, she and Joe moved to Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg and to Second Avenue at Winnipeg Beach, with the food and the fun following. Her eleven grandchildren, their spouses and her twelve great grandchildren were her greatest joy. Rochelle also traveled extensively, including to China, down the Amazon, on an African safari and, again and again, to Israel, which she loved. She was a stubborn, generous and funny person, even if she didn’t recognize those traits herself.
She was predeceased by her parents Fanny and Levi Sommer, her husband Joseph, her daughter Sharon Shinewald and her sister and brother-in-law Norma and Joe Ticoll. She is survived by her children Judith, David and Sharon and Daniel Putter, and her son-in-law Ed Shinewald. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Alex and Elaine Sommer and Sophie Shinewald with whom she had a wonderful friendship for 49 years.
The family would like to thank Tina Chen, who is an honourary member of the family. We would also like to thank her care givers for all their devoted attention, Jin Liang, Gilberta Viagedor, Lolita Giron and Carmencita Viagedor.
Donations in Rochelle’s memory may be made to the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre or to the The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
