Obituaries
RUTH KETTNER
It is with sadness and gratitude that we mourn the loss of our mother, Ruth Kettner. She died in her 100th year on February 15, 2023. We are sad that she is gone. We are grateful that she died the way she wanted to: peacefully in her own home, in her favourite chair, with her family holding her hands. Her warm heart stopped after more than three billion heart beats.
Most of all, we are thankful for her. She had a wonderful life. She was loved by more people than we know.
Ruth put her joy of life, her heart, and her warm hard-working hands into everything she did. She seemed to find enjoyment in all of it, especially being with and caring for her family, their friends, her nephews and nieces, her friends, fellow activists, work colleagues, and her patients. She made people feel welcomed and valued. Although not officially trained as one, she was a counselor to many, ready to listen to anyone who sought her advice or support. She was inclusive in a way that made those around her feel that they were part of her family. She made people feel loved. It was easy to love her back.
Ruth was born on May 2, 1923 in Winnipeg. Her parents were Molly Hechter and Hymie Wiseman. She grew up on Corydon Avenue with her three siblings: Ethel (Bert), Edna (Jack) and Barrie (Maureen). At the age of 19, she married Max Kettner. She and Max, who predeceased her in 2008, led a life full of love, work, adventure, compassion, learning, and generosity together for 66 years. They married in Kingston, Ontario during WW2 and moved shortly thereafter to Minneapolis for Max to complete his PhD. Ruth supported the family, which increased from two children (Faye and Billy) to four (Joel and Bruce), by working as a typist. In 1956, they returned to Winnipeg and moved into 84 St. Cross in Winnipeg’s north end. That house served as the well-loved family home for them and countless friends until all the children left.
Born left-handed, Ruth was pressured at school to write with her non-dominant right hand. Although she was initially resistant to it, she became ambidextrous, which may have been a factor in her lively and entertaining piano playing and her award-winning penmanship, which endured until the day she died. Her ability to navigate her way through or around such efforts to mould or constrain her – whether personal or societal – were a theme of her life.
Prior to her eventual career, Ruth was predominantly a “stay-at-home” mom. She was reliable and always available – not just for a hot lunch every school day or for help with homework and school projects. She created a home that was warm, comfy, and stimulating. Outside the home, she was involved with a peace activist group “Voice of Women”, Girl Scouts and Cubs leadership, and the PTA at Luxton school. She directed school plays for the annual Winnipeg Play Parade.
She had fun and knew how to create fun for others. She hosted events, big and small, and welcomed everyone with genuine warmth. She was delighted to receive guests – whether invited or not! – at the house or cottage.
Despite her many activities, she found time for relaxation and recreation. She was content to be alone, baking pies, cakes, and muffins in bare feet while listening to opera. She was as at home at the opera or ballet in New York, London, or Winnipeg, as she was camping in Arizona or the Rockies.
At the age of 42, once her children were in high school and university, Ruth decided to go back to school to obtain a diploma in Early Childhood Development. She chose to work with hospitalized sick children, and soon became the Director of the Child Life Department at Children’s Hospital. There, she led a gradually expanding team that developed and implemented an innovative and well-respected program. She became a sought-after teacher, speaker, and consultant, locally, nationally, and internationally. At the core of the program’s success was Ruth’s creativity and warm heart, inspiring all the staff as well as others throughout the hospital. Although she loved working directly with the children, much of her work was providing direct support for their parents, especially those of terminally ill children. She also applied her life experience of navigating challenging obstacles by using her charm and persuasiveness to advocate for the children and to obtain resources from administrators and benefactors.
She was awarded many honours during her life including the Queen Elizabeth ll Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, YWCA Woman of the Year in 1978, and the Child Life Council Distinguished Service Award in 2004. She received an honorary professorship in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Manitoba. Not bad for a girl who left school after grade 10!
For their retirement, Max and Ruth bought a recreational vehicle for winter vacationing in Arizona. When Max’s eyesight failed, Ruth learned to drive the 32-foot RV so they could continue wintering in their favourite State Parks in Arizona.
After Max died, Ruth continued her engagement with The Compassionate Friends of Winnipeg. She maintained relationships with at least three generations that were touched, directly or indirectly, by her care for their children and support of their families. She remained in contact throughout her life with the numerous staff and colleagues who sought ongoing connection with her. She joined a creative writing group that met regularly at her home. Over a period of ten years, she wrote over one hundred short non-fiction stories, some already published, and others yet to be.
We think that the story of her life is a wonderful and inspiring one. We are grateful that our families – all three generations – and so many others have been a part of her story and share her legacy.
Her greatest joys were, of course, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She made them all feel special. She was their “Ma”, “Baba”, or “Baba Baba”.
Faye: Marni (Grant), Isanne, Maya, Noa; Rachel (John), Hannah; Katherine (Bryan), Nathan, Tess. Frank and Valerie, Martyn, The Hilderman/Berry Family, The Greenberg Family.
Billy (Jane): Amy, Jack; Libby, Lucas, Emma. Billy (Debbie): Robert (Lisa), Sally. Billy (Avril): Ashlyn (Eitan), Devon (Sandra) Lola.
Joel (Sharon): Michelle (Joel), Arthur, Hannah; Beth (David), Alice, Georgia, Simone; Joanne (Matt), Juliette, Emma. Joel (Charlotte): Heather (Roz), Demi; Ben (Megan), Jack; Jace (Olena).
Bruce (Lindafern): Madeleine (Nico), Aaron, Yael; Jacob (Rylie), Asher, Ben.
Donations can be made to the Ruth Kettner Child Life Endowment Fund (at Children’s Hospital Foundation) to support child life workers’ attendance at professional development conferences and courses.
A memorial service to mourn her death and celebrate her life will be held on June 29, 2023, at The Leaf conservatory in Assiniboine Park. The service will begin at 2:00 PM (doors will open at 1:00). Our plan is to livestream and record the formal part of the ceremony.
Obituaries
BRENLEE WERNER
Brenlee was born on August 30, 1935 and died December 11, 2024.
Brenlee, so named as family legend has it, because her mother, Sarah Brotman wanted Brenda and her father, Ernest Brotman, wanted Leah, and so the original Brenlee was born. She grew up at 55 Bannerman the oldest of three extraordinary daughters including Caroline and Bonnie the youngest. Brenlee, the beautiful and talented 17-year-old, was spotted by a dashing neighbour, the handsome Nate Werner, and a lifelong love story was born. He said “I’m going to marry that girl” when spotted walking with her father. And he did.
She enrolled in the University of Manitoba Faculty of Architecture, in Interior Design and was crowned university Freshie Queen at a gala event. She was renowned for her beauty and style. When she moved to New York where Nate had his ophthalmology residency, she completed her design degree at the Pratt Institute.
Brenlee and Nate travelled the world together, well before such journeys were popular; to Japan, to Europe and to Israel after the six-day war. So began their dedication to Israel, and her drive to move her family there for a sabbatical year in 1972. They were constant companions, on winter vacations in Palm Springs and in the summer at Falcon Lake.
Brenlee was a determined feminist who always worked outside the home at a time when this was not the norm. She had a passion for business. She became a Real Estate Broker and Developer. It was her Highgate Project where she was really a trailblazer: the first in Winnipeg to renovate a heritage building into condos. She also developed Banbury Court, Crescent Court and Bonaventure Village. She was a consummate professional respected by contractors, engineers and the architects with whom she worked. She was the property manager of the Western Canada Lottery Building for 25 years where she was a tough lease negotiator, dedicated to her tenants’ concerns.
Brenlee had a great zest for life: she was a healthy lifestyle personified. Some days she could hardly be seen behind the piles of newspapers, New Yorker magazines, the Globe and the Winnipeg Free Press. She loved intellectual pursuits, and was an avid reader. She was intelligent and kind.
She was very proud of her daughters, Janet and Shelley, and supported them both in their careers. Shelley, also an interior designer shared an office with her for many years which allowed them to collaborate easily on business projects. She supported Janet’s pursuit of fine art and helped facilitate her years of education in Baltimore and at Yale. She took great pleasure in giving visitors a tour of her apartment, showing her mother’s and Janet’s paintings and books.
With her grandsons, her playful spirit came out, whether baking with Lewis or dancing in the kitchen with Jonah she had the gift of being really present when she was with you. She saw you and knew just what you needed from her. She had more energy than all of us combined. She was a bright shining star, our touchstone, and the heart of our family.
She will be forever missed by daughters Janet and partner Adrian Norvid, Shelley and husband Michael Draycott, grandsons Lewis Robinovitch and wife Robyn Cambruzzi, Jonah Simmonds and great-grandson Zev Robinovitch.
The funeral was held Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Chesed Shel Emes. Thanks to Rabbi Matthew Leibl who led the service and gave a fitting tribute to Brenlee.
The family gives thanks to Brenlee’s caregivers for their love and for making her a part of their families: Lhyn Vinan, Melisa Caluza, Ellen May Bautista, Edna Maula and Leo Policarpio. Special thanks to Isabel Vieira who worked with her for over 20 years.
Donations may be made in Brenlee’s honour to JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Services) 204-477-7430.
Obituaries
RIVA-LEE MCWILLIAM
It is with broken hearts we share the passing of our beloved Mom, Wife and Baba, Riva Lee McWilliam (Rudelier), suddenly, after a difficult year of health challenges. Survived by her loving husband, Scott, her absolute other half, high school sweethearts of 56 years, and married 47 years, and her three daughters, Beth Jacob (Jonathan), Rachel and Megan, and grandsons Kiva and Shale Jacob. She is also survived by her sister Rashi (Harold) and brother Nelson as well as nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews plus the extended McWilliam family and her adoring crew of close girlfriends. As a young woman, Riva lost her own mother and father Ray and Meyer Rudelier, too soon.
Riva was born February 3, 1954. She would tell you she was “born in St Boniface” but really, she came from the North End of Winnipeg. The baby of her family, and the apple of her dad’s eye. During her childhood, her family migrated south to Montrose Street. She attended Herzlia for a year before Montrose School and Grant Park. In those years, that crew of close girlfriends established and grew tight-knit and remained that way all her life. In 1968 Scott moved in across the street. Riva was a beautiful hippy with the most beautiful hair, and so she naturally caught his attention- the actual boy next door. He waved at her through the window, and the rest is history.
She went to university and earned a degree in social work, followed by a brief career in the field before she married Scott and had their first daughter, Beth, followed by Rachel. From the time she became a mother, her daughters were the permanent centres of her universe. She made Beth and Rachel the happiest sisters ever when she gave birth to a giant bundle of joy, Megan. She drove a million carpools, took daughters to million lessons, asked a million questions, ran a million errands, and made a million meals. She took us out for a million ice cream cones in the summer, and a million more beach days to escape the city heat. She was the ultimate caretaker, Riva’s absolute purpose in this life was to be a mother to all those she loved.
Scott and Riva opened a store together in the early aughts, an exciting venture to take as a couple, albeit short-lived. She went back to work at Canadian Footwear and worked faithfully there in the Foot Health Centre for over 20 years.
She stood by her beshert- her intended- Scott though thick and thin. Riva was an unshakeable matriarch. Steadfast in her devotion to support her family through sickness and health, richer and poorer, better or worse. She weathered every storm with an impossible strength. Later in life, she reached out to offer support and understanding to other families struggling through many of the same challenges we’ve faced. She rooted her family in a foundation of profound love and commitment, and we honour her by putting those values first in everything.
In Riva’s memory we ask that any donations be directed to Jewish Child and Family Services, earmarked for addictions and mental health support, or to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, that brought Kuma into her life.
“To love another person
is to see the face of god.”
This is the kind of love that Mom, in her way, gave tirelessly to her world.
Obituaries
SID SCHWARTZMAN
We lost our dear father and grandfather on Thursday December 19, 2024. Sid passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side. Born on July 31, 1930, in Winnipeg, Sid was the son of Luis and Anne Schwartzman and brother to Herb Schwartzman. Sid lived a long and fulfilling life, devoted to his family, friends, and community.
He leaves to mourn, his children, Lisa (Joel) and Neil (Gina), and Grandsons, Noah and Eli, plus his many friends.
Sid was blessed with an outgoing personality, and he exuded spirit, humor, loyalty, and honesty. Sid had a great passion for delicatessens. He loved a corned beef sandwich, party sandwiches, a butter tart, and a “nice fruit cup.” He was the first to take you to a hole in the wall for a great burger or hot dog. Then top it all off with an ice cream cone from McDonalds.
Sid graduated from St. Johns high school and subsequently started a career in sales. Sid spent 30 years as a sales manager for Richlu manufacturing. Sid loved working and was very lucky to find meaning and purpose there. Sid retired at the age of 87 which was a difficult but reasonable choice
It was through his career in sales that he met Marsha. After a short courtship, they fell in love and married. They greatly enjoyed their lives together and spent their time going to the theatre, symphony, travelling, and spending time with their many wonderful friends. They were married for 50 years.
Sid will be dearly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marsha Schwartzman Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A funeral will be held graveside at Sharrey Zedek cemetery at 11am on Sunday, Decmeber 22.
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