Obituaries
SHEILA STREIFLER
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Sheila Streifler on December 10, 2020, at the age of 90. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Nathan, and her parents Irvine and Fanny Charach.
She will be deeply missed by her children Leesa (Kenneth), Marc (Cindy), her grandchildren Riley, Jesse, Seth, and Daniel, her siblings Harold Charach, Neil Charach (Judy) and Elaine Campbell, along with many nieces, nephews and their families.
Sheila was born on June 4, 1930, the oldest of four children. Growing up on Scotia Street, in Winnipeg’s North End, she was the “big sister,” a role she treasured. In her youth she attended St. John’s High School and spent memory-filled summers at her family cottage at Winnipeg Beach. After attending the University of Manitoba, she worked as a legal secretary. During this time, she met our dad, fell in love, and they married in 1953. They had a wonderful marriage and mom took great joy in being a wife, a mother and a homemaker. She was an exceptional cook and baker and she created a comfortable, beautiful home. We have fond memories of family vacations to California and B.C. visiting relatives. Tragically, our dad passed away much too soon and mom was left a widow at age 46. The transition to life as a single mother was very difficult, but with great courage and determination mom rebuilt her life.
Our mother’s greatest pleasure was being part of a close-knit community of family and friends. She was an active member of Winnipeg’s Jewish community, giving generously of her time to ORT and Hadassah and was a member of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Mom was blessed with a vibrant personality, and great enthusiasm; qualities that drew people to her. She was known to be extremely capable and savvy, and her advice was often sought out by friends and family.
Mom was motivated by what she could do for others. Doing what she called “the right thing” was very important to her. She found great joy in giving her mother the love and support she needed to live independently in her own home until she was 92 years old. Mom loved being with family and she often travelled to Vancouver and California to be at family events. Her nieces and nephews, and their families knew her well and her love for them was mutual.
With the birth of her first grandson, mom found a new role that she adored, that of Grandmother (Bobi). She was over the moon with pride for her four clever, handsome grandsons, always interested in what they were doing and making sure she was present in their lives. She had no trouble keeping up, endlessly inquisitive and full of energy.
Mom always seemed much younger than her years. She was energetic and engaged in life. She enjoyed attending cultural events, going out for dinner, and playing mahjong with her friends. Always fashionable, she was admired by many. Mom’s large circle of friends, some life-long and others more recent, played a key role in her happiness and enjoyment of life. She lived a happy, active and independent life until she was 85.
After being diagnosed with a debilitating illness, mom moved into the Simkin Centre in fall 2017. Mom met her illness with grace. She was brave beyond words, setting an example for all of us, as she did throughout her life.
Mom taught us so many valuable lessons, the biggest one being that of generosity and kindness. She will be remembered as a woman of great courage and inner strength and a gracious, spirited person with an enormous capacity for joy. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend. Our love for her is eternal and although we will miss her greatly, she will have a special place in our family forever.
We are grateful for the care Mom received from the staff at the Simkin Centre and Dr. Wayne Manishen. We are also grateful for Maria Arbuthnot, whose love and exceptional care greatly enhanced mom’s quality of life.
Family and friends wishing to honour mom’s memory may make a donation to the Simkin Centre, the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, or a charity of choice.
Obituaries
SAMUEL SEARLE October 29, 1930 – December 1, 2025
Our dear father, Sam, passed away on December 1, 2025, after a long, rich life of 95 years.
Dad shared almost 67 of those years with our dear mother, his beloved wife, Betty, who predeceased him in April of 2024. Sam was also predeceased by his parents, Dora and David Cirulnikov; three of his four older sisters, Bernice Brownstone, Marion Toffick, Luba Sitchin, and their respective spouses; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Doreen and Garry Shapera.
He is survived by his children Sharna, Lorne (Barbara) and Beverlee (Barry); grandchildren Evan, Aaron, Jamie and Matthew; sister Eve Blank; many nieces and nephews who adored him and for whom he was Uncle Sammy; several cousins; and many friends and former colleagues. All delighted in his company.
Sam was the youngest and only son in a family of five children. His parents emigrated from Russia in the late 1920s with his three oldest sisters. Eve was born shortly after they arrived in Canada and Sam in 1930. The family lived in Winnipeg’s North End and Sam attended public schools and the Talmud Torah night school. During the summers, and part-time throughout the years while continuing his education, he worked as a short order cook at both the Silver Grill Restaurant and Arcade Deli. Dad made his legendary, piled-high sandwiches into his eighties!
After graduating high school from St. John’s Tech, Sam was accepted into the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and ultimately went on to enjoy a very accomplished career as a partner with MMP, a major local architectural firm, and later, as a founding partner/developer with Duraps Corporation and Pine Hill Development Corp. In a career that spanned almost half a century, Sam made his mark on the landscape of Winnipeg and other North American cities, having been involved in the design and construction of private residences, schools, concert halls, fire halls, university and government buildings, and the development of condominiums, residential subdivisions, shopping centres and industrial land.
In addition to his professional life, Sam was also a dedicated community volunteer. A long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg North, Dad was awarded Rotary International’s highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellow medallion, for his contributions and service to the organization. He also served on the board of the Rosh Pina Synagogue for several terms and was a charter member of the Bel Acres Golf & Country Club.
Dad was also a talented, and ambidextrous, artist, a curler, green thumb, dapper dresser and terrific dancer. He and Betty always lit up a dance floor!
Sam shared a wonderfully rich family life with Betty. Married in 1957, they moved four years later into the mid-century modern masterpiece that Sam designed for them in Garden City (a then new, north end Winnipeg neighbourhood) and in which they remained throughout their entire marriage. The house magically expanded and contracted as needed and saw its share of fabulous parties, Passover Seders and a multitude of family simchas and other joyous gatherings. As parents, they were loving, excellent role models who encouraged strong family connections. As grandparents, Zaida Sam and Bobbie Betty were the best – adoring, proud, involved and a lot of fun!
Locally, Sam and Betty enjoyed attending the symphony, chamber music and jazz concerts, the opera, the Folk Festival and the theatre. Their worldly travels took them to Mexico, Israel, China, Cuba, Europe, the Caribbean and North American camping trips and ski holidays. Closer to home, their cottage in Gimli (Loni Beach), MB, was a focal point for family and friends every summer.
Our father was a man of unwavering integrity, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and a generosity of spirit. Respected and respectful, Sam Searle was a great guy, a real mensch. He will be deeply missed.
The last year and four months of Dad’s life were spent at the Simkin Centre. Sharing an ice cream and a smile, singing with him, particularly at the “Friday Night Lights” Shabbat service, were precious moments.
Sam passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital. We are grateful for the care and kindness provided by the staff at both institutions. A heartfelt thank you, as well, to Sharon Merrells, the ultimate “Sam whisperer,” for her years of care and dedication, especially over those last challenging 16 months.
The graveside funeral service, held on December 4, 2025, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, was warmly officiated, on a freezing morning, by Rabbi Kliel Rose. The pallbearers were grandchildren Evan, Aaron and Jamie Searle and Matthew Pearl, son-in-law Barry Pearl and great nephew Gavin Shapera.
Donations may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba’s “Betty & Sam Searle Memorial Fund” or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
JEAN SHIRLEY KOPSTEIN February 14, 1934 – January 11, 2026
Jean Shirley Kopstein passed away peacefully, a month shy of her 92nd birthday, with her three devoted children by her side.
Known to her family as Shaney, Jean will be deeply missed by her children, Ivy (Murray), Ruth, and Alan; her grandchildren, Louis, Minnie (Patrick), Leo (Ashley), and Max (Brynne); her great-grandchild, Margot; her brothers, Martin (Grace) and Gary; as well as her nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jean was born on Valentine’s Day in 1934 in Montreal. In 1939, her family returned to Winnipeg, where they settled in the city’s North End. During her second year at the University of Manitoba, Jean met Bobby Kopstein, the light of her life. They married on June 23, 1954. That same year, Jean graduated as a teacher and taught for three years before choosing to stay home to raise their family.
Later in life, Jean embarked on a deeply meaningful professional career and left her mark on every organization she served. She worked as a counsellor at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, went on to become Director of Staff Development and Training for the provincial Department of Corrections, and was seconded by the government to establish the Manitoba Women’s Directorate. She was often described as an inspiration – a wonderful colleague, a thoughtful leader, and a great friend.
Jean had many passions and immersed herself fully in all of them. She loved travelling with Bob and had a keen appreciation for music, art, design, fashion, film, and food from many cultures – always in search of the perfect muffin! She formed deep bonds with family and friends, with constant concern for the well-being of those she loved. Jean and Bob were humanists who led by example, instilling strong values in their family.
Jean had a unique and engaging presence. She was outgoing, vivacious, curious, and intelligent. She lit up a room with her energy and her beautiful, warm smile.
Diagnosed with glaucoma in her 60s, Jean began a long and challenging period in her life. After the loss of Bob in 2014, she faced further health difficulties. Despite these challenges, her desire to live fully never waned. She remained interested in the world around her and took great joy in family dinners, trips to Winnipeg Beach, and spending time with family and friends.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in Jean’s care over the many years, especially those who went above and beyond. They are deeply grateful to Shaftesbury Park for its support, and in particular to Jean’s caregivers for their outstanding care, compassion, and kindness. The family also thanks the clergy and staff of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue for their services and support.
Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ISADORE (IZZY)MINUK (Z”L) JULY 5, 1927 – DECEMBER 30, 2025
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Isadore (Izzy) Minuk, on December
30, 2025, at the age of 98.
Izzy was born on July 5, 1927, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the third of five boys born to Tibel and Ben Minuk. Izzy was predeceased by his beloved wife Merle Minuk and his
cherished son Morley Minuk.
Izzy leaves to mourn his children Martin Minuk (Stephanie), Linda Rabkin (Jack), Jeffrey Minuk (Lora) and Cheryl Bokhaut (Bradley), thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Our father was a man of great wisdom, kindness, strength and resilience. He was
fiercely devoted to his family. He was committed to his health and well-being and a longtime member of the Rady JCC.
Izzy spent his last years at the Simkin Centre. Our family would like to express its appreciation and thanks to the Staff and Administration of the Simkin Centre for their attentive care.
Donations in Izzy’s honour may be made to the Merle and Isadore (Izzy) Memorial Fund
at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Simkin Centre or the Rady JCC.
Daddy will always be our sweetheart