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.
