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
LIN JOSEPH ROSENBAUM
October 17, 1952 – April 18,2026
It is with great sadness that the family marks the passing of Lin, loving son, uncle, great-uncle, brother and brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed.
Lin completed his undergraduate degree in business at the University of Manitoba. He eventually took and completed apprenticeship as an electrician and worked as a licensed electrician with his father Harry. He took pride in his work and craft and assisting his father. He was greatly valued by their customers .
Lin was adventurous , traveling throughout Europe. He was a kibbutznik, and always spoke fondly of time spent in Israel. He was an avid runner, and had participated competitively in the Boston Marathon .
He made friends well and remained committed to volunteerism with community arts , including the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. He showed great empathy to others, reflected in his work with Mood Disorders Manitoba.
Lin believed in the worth of all persons and saw the good in others. His best nature illuminated the best nature in others; to a brother, son, friend, uncle and great-uncle, always.
Obituaries
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Naomi Sharon Searles Koslovsky | Nechama Sara bat Shmuel v’Chana | 11/04/1940 | 23/03/2026 | 5 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Suzan Kravtsov | Chaya bat Shlomo v’Malka | 27/11/1935 | 23/03/2026 | 5 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Marcelo Chaffer | Moshe ben Chaim vFreda | 23/05/1959 | 20/03/2026 | 2 Nisan 5786 | New Israeli Congregation of Montevideo, Uruguay | More Info |
| Bonni Book | Basia Miriam bat Noach v’Tovah Chana | 29/04/1944 | 14/03/2026 | 25 Adar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sarah Schwartz | Sarah bat Moshe v’Leah | 21/08/1930 | 08/03/2026 | 19 Adar 5786 | Jewish Memorial Gardens, Ottawa ON | More Info |
| Jennie Goldstine | Shaindel bat Aharon v’Manya | 25/09/1929 | 06/03/2026 | 17 Adar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Shelley Fogel | Shaindel bat Yehuda v’Sarah | 16/02/1935 | 05/03/2026 | 16 Adar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
MEL MYERS April 24, 1936 – March 24, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mel Myers, K.C. on March 24, 2026, a month shy of his 90th birthday.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sharon; sons, Noel (Joan) and Paul (My-Phung); daughter Sarah; sister Gayle Myers (Jan Cooper); brother-in-law Brian Kaplan (Renee); grandchildren, Emily and Lily; nephews, Harris (Nina) and Ira (Ruby); nieces, Rachel (Alex) and Robyn (Kerem); great-nephew Jude; great-niece Chloe; extended family and many friends.
Mel was predeceased by his parents, Hymie and Rose Myers, and his brother, Paul.
Mel was a powerhouse of a man. He was worthy of praise and accolade, a person of substance and impeccable character who gave his time and talents to make our lives, our world, a better place for all.
According to Sharon and to many, he knew everything and everyone; he was an extraordinary lawyer and delighted in the law; he loved humanity; he was fascinated by many things and had an unquenchable thirst for the acquisition of knowledge. He was the consummate family man, who loved the lake, gardening and being with his beloved Sharon. He was a respected and dutiful father and father-in-law, and an even better Zaida!
Mel and Sharon were married on May 29, 1960. They were partners in marriage and in life for over 65 years. In 1961, when Mel graduated with honours from the University of Manitoba Law School, he was appointed a crown attorney with the Manitoba Attorney General’s department. He was the first Jewish crown counsel and served in that capacity for three years before going into private practice.
Mel had a long and distinguished legal career and became a partner with the law firm of Pollock, Nurgitz, Bromley, Myers and Hewak. This Winnipeg-based law firm now bears his name, Myers LLP, and is honoured to continue to practice in Mel’s name to uphold his legacy for generations to come.
Mel was Manitoba’s pre-eminent advocate for labour and a vigorous defender of fundamental human rights. As a labour lawyer, among numerous notable cases, he successfully defended the constitutionality of the Rand formula under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the prohibition against mandatory retirement as age-based discrimination under the Manitoba Human Rights Act. Mel was a strong champion of workers’ rights across Manitoba. His work touched thousands of lives and forged advancements for labour and human rights across Canada. As a human rights advocate, he served as the first chairperson of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission from 1974 to 1978. He has appeared before numerous commissions, including the Monnin Inquiry into violations of Manitoba’s election laws. In addition to litigation before labour boards, arbitrators and the courts including appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada, Mel also taught classes on labour relations and administrative law at the University of Manitoba and a bar admissions course on criminal evidence. He mentored countless union lawyers and advocates in the presentation of cases. As well, he tirelessly advanced the education of union members.
Mel served as the Chair of the labour relations subsection of the Canadian Bar Association (Manitoba Branch). He also was a former president of the YMHA Community Centre and was a former member of the Board of Regents, University of Winnipeg.
After his retirement from active practice in 2001, he was appointed Chair of the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission, where an advisor’s office to assist citizens dealing with Manitoba’s public auto insurance plan was established with his input. Throughout his retirement, he continued to frequently act as a labour nominee on arbitration boards.
Mel was involved in many community organizations and was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada. His wisdom, guidance, and steadfast support was always appreciated by the Board.
In 2002, the annual Mel Myers Labour Conference on labour law was established in his honour by his former law firm. Proceeds are donated to a charitable cause espousing economic and social justice. Mel was a co-founder and past president of the Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers, an association of 800 lawyers representing trade unions and professional organizations across Canada.
Mel was the recipient of several awards, including the Bora Laskin Award in 2005, which recognizes distinguished contributions in the field of labour law. Nominations of Mel for this award referred to “his willingness to work himself to the point of exhaustion, his fierce commitment to fairness and due process, and his conviction that protecting the rights of labour is fundamental to the preservation and strength of Canadian democracy.”
In addition to his professional activities, Mel maintained a broad range of interests in the arts and theatre, music, history, politics, travel, reading and sports of all kinds. He was also known for his immense and varied collection of trade union memorabilia and his readiness to discuss or debate any topic with passion and energy.
A very special thanks to the staff of Simkin Centre, Simkin 1, especially Nurse Cheryl, for their extraordinary care and vigilance over the time Mel was a resident as well as the staff of Realcare Inc, especially Cathy, Felix and Olumide, for the dignified and exemplary care they showed Mel.
Mel’s funeral was held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on March 27th officiated by Rabbi Carnie Rose. Beautiful words of tribute were given by Mel’s son, Noel, and sister, Gayle.
Pallbearers were Noel Myers, Paul Myers, Harris Kaplan, Kevin Marks, Seth Marks, and Evan Roitenberg. Honorary pallbearer was Brian Kaplan.
In honour of Mel’s memory, donations can be made to the ‘Mel Myers Endowment Fund’ (in support of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada) at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (call 204-477-7520 or online at https://jewishfoundationofmanitoba.crowdchange.ca/146553) or to the ‘Mel Myers, Q.C. Award’ at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law (call 204-474-9195 or online at https://give.umanitoba.ca/) or to a charity of your choice.