Obituaries
SERKY GOLDBERG
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Serky Goldberg on the 14th of Tammuz, 5784 (July 20, 2024) at the age of 86. Her funeral was held at the Chesed Shel Emes and she was interred at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on July 22, 2024.
Sora Pearl Mozersky was born in Winnipeg and her first few months were spent in the home of her grandparents, David and Faigie Soudack on Cathedral Avenue before moving into the Mozersky home on Rupertsland. She grew up in the North End, attending the Folk Shul, Luxton, Seven Oaks, and Peretz School during her elementary school years, and then St John’s High School. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1958 and was certified as a teacher at Teachers College in 1959.
Serky’s family was cental to her life. She was in almost daily contact with those of us who lived locally, and those more distant were only a visit, phone call, FaceTime or birthday card away. She loved when members of the family came to the cottage in the summer or when she and Benny traveled to Toronto, Ottawa, California, Boston, New York or Israel for simchas, birthdays, or just a visit. Over the years she maintained strong ties with siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives all over North America and in Israel.
Serky had many dear friends and always had an active social life. She was treasurer of her Bridge group for over 60 years, participated with Benny in the “The Volleyball Group,” and stayed in touch with her Habonim Workshop cohort throughout her life. Later, she made new friends during winters in Palm Springs and on the various globetrotting cruises on which she and Benny embarked after his retirement.
A product of socialist Bundist Jews, Serky became a proud Zionist in her teens. Her love for Israel was strengthened after spending a year at Kibbutz Kfar Blum in 1954 on Habonim Workshop. Subsequently, she and Benny made numerous visits to Israel, including leading a mission on behalf of the Winnipeg Jewish community to Gan Yavne as part of Project Renewal.
Serky dedicated much of her volunteer time to the Combined Jewish Appeal, serving as Chair of the Women’s Division, Chair of the Annual Campaign, and contributed to many committees at a national level. Over the years, she led many local committees and subcommittees that helped assure the vibrancy and continuity of Winnipeg’s Jewish community. The Jewish Federation honoured her with the Max Nathanson Young Leadership Award in 1977 and the Max and Mollie Shore Memorial Award in 2018. She was also a member of Pioneer Women, Hadassah and volunteered as a canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Serky applied skills she learned at Teachers College to teach English as a Second Language to new Canadians throughout the 1990’s, and to inform her service as the Chair of the Board of Jewish Education.
Serky was often found reading a book, magazine or newspaper, knitting, listening to CBC, baking, telling a story or dispensing advice. She was elegant and understated. She loved hosting parties and setting a beautiful table. She appreciated art, music and literature. She loved her summers at the cottage in Gimli. Her phenomenal memory, sharp intellect and perceptive judgment were the source of answers to many questions about the family, the Winnipeg community, Israel, cooking, entertaining, fundraising or really any other topic you can imagine. Her love for us all was a great gift, and she was loved by all.
Serky is predeceased by her parents, Myer and Lily Mozersky and her brother Ken Mozersky. She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Dr. Benjamin Goldberg; brother Dan Mozersky (Joy), and sister Ruthie Grubert; children Harold Goldberg (Alisa), Marty Goldberg (Sharon), and Elana Schultz (Myron); grandchildren, Samuel Wolfberg (Tali), Anna Wagner (Adam), Jacob Goldberg (Kelsey Fenn), Adina Goldberg (Max Levit), Tamar Goldberg (Benjamin Miller), Leora Goldberg, Dafna Schultz, Abbie Schultz, and Liat Schultz; great grandchildren Bella, Maya, Miko, Reni, Bahir, and Hatzkel, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donations in Serky’s memory may be made to Serky and Benny Goldberg Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, www.jewishfoundation.org 204- 477-7520, or a charity of your choice .
Obituaries
LAWRENCE WERIER
Lawrence Werier passed away at home in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 6 at the age of 98.
We thought he might live to 100, but it was not to be. Even though he was diminished by dementia in recent years, he still sparkled with an indomitable spirit that could not be missed, whether he was dancing with his many beloved caregivers or sitting quietly with his wife or children. He brought an intense energy to everything he accomplished, such as building a business, making a sale, playing tennis or scuba diving in some remote location.
His work at Goldin and Company was both challenging and joyful, and his entrepreneurial creativity brought him to Asia regularly, where he had close friends in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He married Eddy in 1949, and she remained the love of his life. They traveled the world together on many exotic trips, and in each place he would seek out adventure and fun. He was a force of life and an energetic presence who kept working and living and devouring experiences, always insisting that “the cup is half full.”
Many remember Lawrence as a great storyteller because he could never resist the impulse to share his exciting escapades with others. He didn’t retire until the age of 83, and even after formally ending his business, he continued to wheel and deal from home. In all of these passionate endeavors, he always had time for his children and grandchildren when they came to visit. His love of family was profound, and he demonstrated this love by generously bringing everyone together—children, spouses, grandchildren and Eddy—at treasured family gatherings in Costa Rica, St. Lucia and Mexico.
In recent days, people have reacted almost with astonishment that Lawrence has passed away, as if such a powerful energy might continue. We feel his loss deeply, along with his many friends in Winnipeg and beyond.
Lawrence is survived by his wife, Eddy, and his children, Kerry, Cliff and Jodie, and their spouses, Suzanne, Sabrina, and Michael. He is missed by his two granddaughters, Cynthia (her partner, Matt) and Alex. Lawrence was predeceased by his beloved grandson Koby. Lawrence had many wonderful caregivers at “the Shafts,” too numerous to mention, but Tess Braun was his special friend and honorary daughter, to whom the family is grateful beyond words. Tess, Chris, Mavis, Jonathon and Jules made him comfortable in his final days, and we extend thanks to them all.
Donations in his memory can be made to Shalom Residences (shalomresidences.com).
Obituaries
BETTY JOAN KATZ
Betty Katz passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
She was predeceased by her husband, Melvyn (Mel) and her daughter, Michelle.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Alana (Ted) and Bonnie (Howard); her son, Andy; grandchildren, Jonathan (Leiba) and Jeremy; and great-grandchildren, Louis and Ada.
Betty and Mel were high school sweethearts and married in 1953. Shortly thereafter, they purchased their cherished home on Lanark Street where they lived until after their 60th wedding anniversary. As the children grew older, Betty began a career in property management.
Betty is fondly remembered for her outgoing nature, wit, tenacity, and her great cooking, notably – her signature dish – Spaghetti a la Betty Katz.
Thank you to the staff at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Betty received excellent care for the last eight years. Betty enjoyed the recreational activities and every opportunity to sit outdoors and at the sunny windows. Despite living with dementia, she was heard singing the words to “oldies” whenever there was an opportunity.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for leading a beautiful funeral service in Betty’s honour at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on October 28, 2024.
Obituaries
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.