Obituaries
SALLY NELKO
Sara Wolinsky Nelko was born in Yorkton Saskatchewan on March 3 1924.
The daughter of Rose Kantor and Louis Wolinsky The sister of Morris(Mazy) Wolinsky and Esther (Soski) Wolinsky Pessis… mother to two daughters Wendy (Sam) and Lynne (Henry)and 6 grandchildren Lisa (Earl), Raven ,Jonathan (Kylie ) ,Robbie(Buffie) Jennifer, Michael (Moran)and seven great grandchildren
She graduated business school in Winnipeg and married Maxwell (Max) Harold Nelko on July 5th 1944
Their union was a an equally shared partnership .In 1952 they moved to Portage la Prairie and literally with their own hands built a thriving business combining a Portrait Studio with a Camera shop
They were a team..They took school pictures thruout Manitoba…our mom would do the posing and our dad would do as they say ‘the shoot”
Then they retired to Margate Florida…but they didn’t know the definition of ‘retirement’
Our dad decided to sell real estate…in most cases the child takes after the parent..but in this case it was reversed..but my mother joined my dad and made ‘the team’..the first real estate ‘team” in South Florida..they retired when my dad got sick
That was their professional life…
As parents they had their defined roles..Our dad was the kind nurturing parent who loved unconditionally..Our mother was the disciplinarian she loved us but had her own set of rules..She was a force not to be reckoned with
Curfews were strictly enforced..She was very protective of her girls..In a condolence letter Wendy received from a former suitor of 56 years he said “Wendy although it has been many years since I saw or talked to your mother I will always have fond memories of being in her kitchen and being grilled about where I was planning to take you..and when I was planning to get you home and what I was planning to do on the way..Your mother had an impact on so many people in her life..I know she will be dearly missed”
Our mother was a member of Hadassah, a member of the Portage la Prairie Golf Club ,belonged to Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and was thoroughly involved in the Portage business community
Living in Portage during our growing up years put many miles on the family car..’Shelping ‘us to Winnipeg for our BBYO events and conventions..to orthodontic appointments..and making sure we felt a part of the Jewish teenage life in Winnipeg ..This was not looked upon as a burden..it was a natural sacrifice Jewish parents made when they had children growing up in an non Jewish environment such as Portage
Retiring in Florida changed many lives…Wendy and Sam followed Mom and Dad to Margate..Pompano and finally Boynton Beach..They’ve been going there for 43 winters..2-3 weeks..now 4 months a year
Because of Mom and Dad the Chicago Pessis cousins all 26 of them come to Florida for the holidays..Mom was the focal point..and drew everyone there
For the last 3 years mom visited Wendy and sometimes Wendy and Sam in Florida..She travelled there on her own..even to this year.had the best time.. went to concerts..was wined and dined by Wendy and Sam’s friends…. they thoroughly loved her…and of course she shopped…Fashion was very big in her life..She was a charter member of Chico’s .This year her need for an extended wardrobe very important..She moved into The Portsmouth and felt she had to dress every day..She persevered in Bridge..went to all the programs and thoroughly enjoyed her last 6 months
Her last hurrah was her 93rd birthday…only a few weeks ago..She booked a private room at The Portsmouth..Lynne and Mom took a flower arranging class so there would be a table centre for the dinner Little did they know Lisa was sending a most magnificent one also..Kylie brought the cake Mom was in her glory..she was surrounded by family ..her first love
That was our mother…the teacher of roly poly..the student of bridge and computers…and fashion role model to all.
Contributions may be sent to The Woman’s Endowment Fund ..Jewish Foundation 204-477-7525..or a charity of your choice.
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.