Obituaries
SARA HOCHMAN
With love and sadness in our hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, Sara Hochman. Sara passed away at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 16, 2022 just 2 days after reaching her 100th birthday on April 14.
She was born during Passover and passed away during Passover 100 years later. For 58 years Sara was happily married to her husband Sam Hochman who predeceased her in 2008. Sara was the daughter of Celia and Sam Davis who predeceased her. She is also predeceased by her brother Louis Davis and sisters Annette Gordon and Rosetta Isenstein all of Calgary, Alberta. She is survived by her children Marcy and Barry Schwartz and Susan and Arnold Permut; cherished grandchildren Cara and Danny Stoller, Jill and Geoffrey Abraham, Hart Schwartz and Mandy Valin, Janie and Jeff Gilbert; beloved great-grandchildren Jacob, Josh and Alex Stoller; Joey and Sam Abraham; Zoe and Sam Gilbert. She is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 19 graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl, whom we wish to thank for his guidance and painting a beautiful picture of Sara with his eulogy. Thank you to the pallbearers, Cara, Danny, Jacob, Josh Alex Stoller and Jeff Gilbert. Honourary pallbearers were Butch Hochman, Marna Ramsey, Gerald Rosenby and Syd Halprin.
Sara was born in Rowley, Alberta on April 14,1922. She spent the first 15 years of her life in the small Alberta town of Rockyford. At the age of 8 she showed an interest and talent in playing the piano. The Davis family did not have a piano but the convent located near by did. The nuns offered to give Sara piano lessons. She excelled and the nuns eventually asked her to play the piano at Sunday services, which she did every Sunday until the age of 15 when the family moved to Calgary.
After high school and business college Sara worked as a medical secretary at The Colonel Belcher Convalescent Hospital. She enjoyed playing music to the patients and staff. In 1949 Sara moved to Winnipeg and met and married Sam Hochman. They enjoyed 58 years together. Sara always loved music. She maintains that she was born with the “Gift Of Music”. She felt that this blessing should be shared with others, particularly hospitals and nursing homes. She dedicated her life to a full volunteer musical career for over 60 years. She was providing music therapy before the term music therapy was recognized.
Sara was honoured with several awards during her volunteer career. Those included are the B’nai Brith Women’s Charlotte Meyers Memorial Service Tribute Award 1973; twice inscribed in the “Book of Life” at the B’nai Brith Children’s Home in Bat Vagan, Israel; Shem Tov Community Volunteer Award Jewish Federation. Sara felt very honoured to receive these awards. She always said “Her greatest reward was the positive response of the residents to her music” She loved and was loved by the Sharon Home/Simkin Centre residents. She made many lasting, loving relationships as well with the staff of the recreation department. Many other organizations were the recipients of Sara’s music-to name a few Gwen Secter Creative Living, Rady Centre, Deer Lodge Centre, many hospitals and nursing homes.
Music was not Sara’s only talent. She was a wonderful cook, baker and hostess. Many new arrivals to Winnipeg and many from other countries were invited to join our family at Friday dinner or other holidays.
Sara wanted a thank you to go out Dr Nadar Roman for great care and treating Sara so respectfully and to Dr Alan Finkleman for taking such good dental care. Thank you to the Simkin Centre staff for the care and respect given Sara. Many thanks to Dr. Louis Chung for his compassionate care to Sara and her family. A thank you is also extended to the caring staff of the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence where Sara lived for 8 years. Thank yous would not be complete without a thank you to the group of people whom our family relied on. The people we are referring to are Sara’s companions. A heartfelt thank you to Marie De LaCruz, Marian Candelaria and Maria Labao. Thank you for providing so much care, love and respect to Sara. Our family will always remember the three of you.
In 1999 Sara was honoured for 40 years of volunteer music therapy at the Simkin Centre. At that time The Sara Hochman Music Therapy Endowment Fund was established. We would appreciate donations to be directed to that fund at the Simkin Centre or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
NELLIE (NELL) LABOVITCH
Nellie (Nell) Labovitch passed away peacefully in her home on December 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Our hearts are grateful for the 103 years she blessed our lives.
Nell was predeceased by her beloved husband Morris of 56 years (2000), her eldest daughter Shelley Nimchonok (2019) and son-in-law Robert (Bob) Walker (2015). Nell will forever be missed by her children Connie (Darrel) Donen, Joy Walker (Bob), Sharon Elston, and son-in-law Meyer Nimchonok (Shelley) and her grandchildren Kevin (Mony) Nimchonok, Shauna (Aaron) Lindzon, Maury Donen (Jennifer Luong), Jason Donen (Kristin Macaraeg), Erin Walker, Adam (Samantha) Walker, Sean Walker (Lindsey Markusson), Chad (Sawako) Elston, Cori (Tonio) Ettienne and her great-grandchildren Jay, Eli, Jordan, Emily, Max, Carmen, Matteo, Logan, Dylan, Caleb, Hana, Jun, Prism and Onyx and her brothers, Sam (predeceased Rita) Bebchuk, Dr. William (Elaine) Bebchuk and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Nell was predeceased by her parents, Ettie and Joseph Bebchuk, her sisters, Marian Margolis (Joe Berz), Bessie (Mitchell) Schachter and parents- in-law, Rachel, and Hymie Labovitch; brothers and sisters inlaw, Sam Labovitch, Dr. Bill Lyons, Jack Lyons; Brina Bressler, Lil Seigel, Rose Weiner, and Sylvia Fritz.
Nell and Morris were married within a short courtship of only three weeks as they knew immediately that they were for each other. The connection that they had was undeniable. They were renowned for their shared love of dancing and moving together with extraordinary elegance and effortless skill. They met life’s challenges with a united front, setting a beautiful example of their lifelong commitment.
Nell took pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always made each one of them feel special. She enjoyed pampering everyone with their favourite dishes. Her life was filled with an abundance of family, laughter, love, and optimism.
Even in her later years Nell remained vigorous and active, powerwalking at her gym into her late 90’s. One had to stand in line for a chance to be one of her walking partners, even when she was walking with a walker. Her nightly ritual was to say special prayers not only for everyone who needed praying for, but also for those who were close to her. On special occasions it was a treat to receive her amazing poetry. Nell retained a remarkably keen mind and enjoyed tackling word games well into her 90’s.
In her later years, she was surrounded by a phenomenal team of caregivers who considered her as close as a grandmother. With special gratitude to Ruth, and Amandeep who were by her side until the end. With thanks also to Jenna and The Right At Home staff. She was truly an extraordinary soul, matriarch, and an inspiration to us all.
Nell’s joyful spirit is heartfelt and will forever be with us. We will all live by three words that she recited endlessly to everyone that she met – “Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.”
Funeral Services were held on December 3, 2025, at a private graveside ceremony for immediate family members. Thank you to the Pallbearers: Maury Donen, Jason Donen, Adam Walker, Erin Walker, Chad Elston, and Tonio Ettienne.
If desired, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or plant a tree in Nell’s memory.
Obituaries
FAYE VICKAR LAZER November 18, 1950 – December 3, 2025
It is with deep sadness we announce Faye Vickar Lazer passed away on December 3, 2025 at the age of 75. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, patience, and quiet strength.
She will be greatly missed by her husband Joel Lazer; son Lawrence Cohen and daughter-in-law Szandra Temesvari; daughter Jilda Lazer, son-in-law Cameron Quinn and grandchildren, Noa and Eli; daughter Sara Lazer, son-in-law Christopher Maissan and grandchildren, Elliot, Simone and Lila; twin sister Reva Micflicker and brother-in-law Allan; brother Larry Vickar and sister-in-law Tova; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Florence Vickar.
Faye grew up in Melfort, SK and lived there until she moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. First studying nursing, she quickly changed her focus to education. She taught for 34 years in the Winnipeg School Division, teaching nursery and kindergarten at Victoria-Albert, River Elm, King Edward, and Glenelm. She was her students’ first, and often favourite, teacher and over the years, fostered a love of learning and reading in hundreds of kids.
Faye and Joel were married in 1987 at Birch Island Resort in Minaki, Ontario, where family and friends were invited to celebrate their love and share in their love of fishing. Since then, they have spent their summers in the area fishing for pickerel, enjoying shore lunches of fish and fries, and in more recent years, spending time on the lake with their grandchildren.
Faye spent the last part of her life living at the Simkin Centre. When asked about it she would tell people happily “if you have to be in a place like this, this is the best place to be!” The family would like to thank the administration and management at the Simkin Centre and especially the team in Simkin 2 for their attentive care. The family is also grateful to the team of caregivers – Lovely, Luisa and Maria – who helped keep Faye happy and healthy for so long.
Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on December 5, 2025. Pallbearers were Elliot Lazer-Maissan, Noa Lazer Quinn, Sam Vickar, Stephen Vickar, Heather Micflikier and Liam Gutkin. Donations can be made to the Simkin Centre Foundation in Faye’s memory at https://www.simkincentre.ca/giving/.
Obituaries
KEVIN PAUL STEINBERG June 1, 1967 – October 29, 2025
It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Kevin Steinberg (O’Neil) on October 29, 2025 at the age of 58 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He will be forever remembered by his mom Donna, sister Debbie (Marc), brother Jeff (Jocelyn), nieces and nephews, Josh (Dena), Zach, Samantha (Sean), Jaidyn, Jordyn, Jilliyn, Jayson and great-nephew Benny, his aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends across Winnipeg, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs and beyond. Kevin was predeceased by his dad Eddie and stepdad Ernest.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Kevin moved to Toronto at 19 years of age. He attended Ryerson Theatre School and quickly earned his Equity and ACTRA cards. After winning the U.S. Green Card Lottery he moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of years he appeared on Seinfeld, Frasier, Married with Children and more. He later worked behind the scenes in TV and film. Kevin also had a great job in catering and told fun stories of the famous people he worked for in L.A.
In 2006 Kevin returned home to Winnipeg, where he continued acting and design. He later moved back to Toronto to join a design firm. It was there he was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare head and neck cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Kevin lived fully – auditioning, writing and travelling. During COVID he launched a podcast – Everyday Heroes. He also shared cooking videos, learned to sketch and kept creating. Kevin thrived, inspiring everyone around him with his resilience, humour and zest for life. Kevin always lived “in the moment”, he embraced life as it came. He will be remembered for his creativity, humour, courage and the joy he brought to everyone around him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Hochman, CancerCare Manitoba, Lisa and the whole team at Palliative Care, Rabbi Matthew Leibl, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and MAID.
Kevin requested that donations be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation www.accrf.org