Obituaries
SHELLEY BRESLAW-WYNNE
May 15, 1963 – November 5, 2017
If you are reading this, it means that I have moved on. Not by choice. Let me be clear on that. I will begin by saying that I have had an awesome life.
I was the first child born to Claire and Jerome on May 15, 1963. Twenty-six months later my little (shoodenvinkle) sister showed up, and the struggle for supremacy began.
Summers at Clear Lake, playing on Borebank Street, matching dresses our mother would make, and Ramah Hebrew School were some of the highlights of that time.
Then my real-life baby doll arrived. Nine-and-a-half years old, and I had a real live baby attached to my left hip. Curtis was the cutest, happiest baby ever. While later I would sometimes resent the free babysitting I was required to do, it was worth it. I mean, who better than I to explain the facts of life to this impressionable little curly blond?
My teen years were tough, to say the least. JB Mitchell and Grant Park schools broadened my life. Experiences travelling to Trinidad, Texas, Portugal and Quebec with my schools were fantastic, and I highly recommend them. Living on my own and attending the University of Winnipeg Collegiate brought new challenges and new friends. Good times, right? Good times.
Graduating from the University of Winnipeg was a milestone. If only I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.
The year 1984 brought two grand families together, when my paternal grandfather Harry Breslaw (Deeda to us) married Esther and the Tessler family, so Shelley, Susan and Curtis added Shelley, Debbie and Susan et al to our family tree.
A variety of jobs, learning to live with Crohn’s disease, led me to my calling, publicity. This led me to Toronto, which led me to Kevin. We moved from Toronto to Winnipeg in 1992, and then the fun began. Marriage in 1994, and then the arrival of the light of our lives, Sophie Beatrice, on August 17, 1999.
The year before, in 1998, two other grand families joined together, and welcomed our brotha and sista from another motha, Sharon and Stephen, and their growing families, when our mom Claire married their dad, Paul Granovsky.
Life was good, and life was challenging. I had many jobs. Some were good, and some were meh. Being a mom to Sophie was the most life-affirming best job ever.
Motherhood brought even more blessings into my life. My Montessori mamas, my Brock Corydon families, the wonderful families of Sophie’s friends.
And then I got cancer, and had surgery. And then I got cancer again, and had surgery. And then I got cancer again, and life changed for all of us. More travel, never enough family, and learning to surrender.
When you are my age and have such a large extended family, and so many friends, you leave behind more than those who went before you:
Kevin, my husband, and my beloved daughter Sophie, mom Claire Breslaw (Paul), dad Jerome Breslaw, sister Susan Robson (Tom), brother Curtis Breslaw (Sara), my nephews Ethan, Malcolm and Sam, my sister and brother by choice Sharon and Stephen, aunts and uncles too numerous to mention, and my friend Lesley O’Hara; Kevin’s sister Laurel and the Rogers family in Ontario.
I have been blessed with many friends in my life, but more recently I have come to call these people my family: Sarah, Flynn, Dona, Cindy, Mandy, Lois, Angie, Pam, Tanya, Tracey, Brenda, Sonya, Elaine, and Kelly, and all of the other wonderful women in my life. You too, Philip.
Thanks to the amazing people at CancerCare St. Boniface: my nurses, my doctors and all of the people who tried to keep me alive and comfortable.
I’m trying to think of my legacy, or what I will leave behind. There are no buildings or monuments in my name. But if I was able to impart anything, I hope it would be this: be kind, be generous of spirit, be compassionate, help people and be humble, and love, love, love.
Children should never die before their parents, or leave young children. Yes, Sophie, you are young.
I’m off on another adventure, and I will always be with you. Have fun, make new memories and celebrate life.
****
Shelley passed on Sunday, November 5, 2017, and her funeral service was held at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Pallbearers were Murray Elfenbaum, Stephen Granovsky, Andy McKiel, Bradley Swartz, Steven Schwartz and Philip Shore. The service was officiated by Rabbi Alan Green.
She was preceded by her maternal grandparents Samuel and Chassie Nelko, her paternal grandparents Harry (Deeda) and Sadie Breslaw, and her step-grandmother, Esther Tessler Breslaw.
For those wishing to commemorate Shelley’s life, a contribution can be made to the Family Navigation program, in memory of Reid Bricker, at the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. Contact Ro-Jean Anstett at (204) 786-0987.
Additionally, in honour of Shelley, either a volunteer commitment or a donation can be provided to CancerCare Manitoba. Contact (204) 787-2197.
The family would like to thank Dr. Krahn and the staff at CancerCare St. Boniface as well as the staff at 5E in St. Boniface Hospital for all their care.
May her memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
DAVID BLOOMFIELD
Sadly, David Bloomfield passed peacefully on December 19, 2024, age 79.
David was predeceased by his parents, Marion and Phillip Bloomfield, and older brothers, Joel and Auby. David will be deeply missed and mourned by his wife, Sheila, of 56 years, the love of his life, his children, Brenlee (Michael) and Evan (Ellen), as well as cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Aaron, Lainee, and Lauren. David shared close relationships with his younger sisters, Naomi and Judi, and with their husbands, Shmuel and Larry, and with his sister-in-law, Linda. David also enjoyed meaningful relationships with each of his nieces and nephews.
David was born on January 20, 1945, and grew up in Winnipeg’s North End. He enjoyed many summers at his grandmother’s cottage in Winnipeg Beach, the place he first met Sheila. His love of the outdoors and beach life continued throughout his life.
David was proud of the varied jobs he held and businesses he created across his life. He opted for early retirement from Air Canada choosing to become an independent business owner, purchasing, developing, and operating three Subway restaurants. In later years he bought and sold RV trailers and was always the consummate deal maker.
Throughout his life, David was very involved in his community. He was a very active member of multiple synagogue boards and committees across several decades, later became an active member of his condo board, and ultimately continued to share his opinions and ideas as a resident of both the Courtyards and the Simkin Centre.
David enjoyed his down time and valued his relationships with family and friends. He loved simple things, like Sunday drives with Sheila. He relished weekly lunch and regular casino dates with Auby and enjoyed travelling with Sheila and his siblings and their spouses. David and Sheila enjoyed many holiday meals at Brenlee and Michael’s home over the years and made wonderful memories at Evan and Ellen’s Loni Beach cottage. Early retirement allowed David significant opportunity for travel, especially on cruises with Sheila, in North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. David owned various travel trailers over 30 plus years and enjoyed winters RVing in Texas and local “Good Sam Club” campground meet ups. He introduced his children to RVing in the 1980s, and later shared his love for RVing with his grandchildren.
Huge thanks to David’s sister Judi Fielding, and brother-in-law, Larry Fielding, who provided David significant support, and significantly improved his quality of life in the final few years. Thank you to staff of Simkin Centre who provided excellent care of David during his final year. For those who choose, donations can be made to the Simkin Centre or Jewish Child and Family Services. Further details: e_bloomfield@yahoo.ca
Obituaries
ANNETTE FREDA MINUK (NEE MASSIE) June 25, 1924 – December 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother who left us peacefully on December 21, 2024 at the age of 100. She was laid to rest beside her late husband Harry at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbears attending were Kevin Minuk, Blake Minuk, Hayley Trenholm, Doug West, Simmie Globerman and Keith Levit.
Annette is survived by her children, Arlene West (Doug), Sheldon (Shoshana), Jeffrey (Harriet); grandchildren Kimberley (Chris) Kevin (Simmie), Blake (Chelsea), Hayley (Chris) and Harel; her great grandchildren Kyler, Krewyn, Charlotte, Annie, Lachlan and sister in law Yetta Levit. She was predeceased by her husband Harry, her parents Rebecca and Dalton, her brother Jack Massie, brothers and sisters in law, Max and Clara Zamick, Norman and Molly Lachter, Norman and Goldie Minuk, Evie and Jack Rosenbaum and Jack Levit.
Annette was truly one of a kind. She was a warm and loving person whose kindness touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to her family always putting their needs ahead of hers. She was always there for all the kids and grandkids activities over the years. She was present at countless milestones and activities, celebrating every achievement with unwavering pride and joy. Her wisdom and compassion were a guiding light, and she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel special, valued and deeply loved. She will be remembered for her generous heart, infectious smile and the countless memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Mom will be missed each and everyday, but now she is with our Dad where she wanted to be.
As we say goodbye, we celebrate her remarkable life and the enduring legacy of love she leaves behind. Her spirit will continue to inspire us, and she will always be cherished and missed.
Obituaries
LOUIS ELFENBAUM March 12, 1936 – December 9, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Louis Elfenbaum. Louis was a popular Professor of Kinesiology at California State University, Sacramento. He taught for 38 years and then retired and moved to San Diego, California, with his wife, Elizabeth.
Born in rural Lipton, Saskatchewan, on March 12, 1936, Louis was the youngest of six children of Abraham and Dora Elfenbaum. With his siblings, Louis braved the harsh Canadian climate to maintain the family farm.
At age 14, Louis moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he lived with his sister and attended St. John’s High School. In high school, Louis was extremely popular, an excellent student, an accomplished athlete, and was voted school president.
After high school, Louis studied at Manitoba Teachers’ College and began his teaching career. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State College in Minnesota, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of North Dakota. He earned his Doctorate in Kinesiology from Ohio State University in 1966. His early professorships were at West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) and prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
In 1970, Louis accepted a full professorship at California State University, Sacramento where he taught Kinesiology for close to four decades. During his tenure as a professor, Louis pursued his interest in law, earning his J.D. degree from Lincoln Law School in 1982.
Louis cared deeply about his students, offering a special lecture about life that attracted students not only from his department, but also from the entire university. He valued intellectual curiosity and fostered that spirit in his students as well as his four children, who have all pursued higher education earning advanced degrees.
Louis had a magnetic personality. He was kind, patient, generous, caring, honest and selfless. Those attributes had a lasting positive impact on everyone he met. He was adored by his family including his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who greatly valued his wisdom, his guidance and his unconditional love.
Louis is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Lefcort, (pre-deceased by his ex-wife Esther—d. 2018–and mother of) his four children, Adrian Elfenbaum (JoAnne Winter), Ian Elfenbaum (Susan Adler), Marcia Elfenbaum, Pamela Elfenbaum (David Klein), 2 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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