Obituaries
SHERRY CHOCHINOV
Our loving mom and baba, Sherry Chochinov, passed away on January 7, 2024, at the age of 97.
She was predeceased by her husband Ben Chochinov; her parents, Chana and Max Rubinfield; and her sister Naomi Wolfe. She leaves behind her brother Jack Rubinfield; sister Eddy Werier (Lawrence); children, Alecs (Ruth Graham), Cindy (Charles Guberman), Lori (Andy Rafelman), Shale (Sary) and Michelle (Morry Murad); and grandchildren, Janna (Peter), Michael (Nataliia), Matthew, Noah, Ethan, Leah, Adam, Maya, Sydney, Annie, Eden and Jonah.
Sherry was born Sarah Rubinfield in a small town near Mokre, Poland. She immigrated to Canada in 1929, at the age of four. Canada was much safer than Europe in those years for a Jewish family but was also on the threshold of a depression. Her family lived in the back of a small grocery store on Alfred Avenue, across from Isaac Newton, where she went to school. She didn’t know it at the time, but she would grow to have a life of incredible richness, though not in the literal sense.
As a young teen, Sarah wanted a more modern, fashionable name so when her friends nicknamed her Sherry, it stuck. While her younger siblings played tennis and volleyball, socializing was Sherry’s preferred sport. She regaled her kids with stories about her dates as a teenager, but once Ben came into the picture, that was it. They were together for 73 years and she gave up her social life almost entirely, but willingly, for her family.
Mom waited seven years before Alecs was born but by the age of 45 she had five children and a vibrant household, where there was never a quiet moment, only the sounds of children. Those sounds were music to mom’s ears.
Sherry was a beautiful young mother, in every sense of the word. In the early 1960s, her shopping excursions with the kids left indelible memories. Lori and Cindy would watch with rapt attention as she transformed into a model from Vogue magazine, putting on her lipstick, gloves, fancy hat and outfit. A day at The Bay would often end at the Paddlewheel, with chocolate cream pie for all of us, Sherry included. She really seemed like the perfect mom – glamorous, nurturing, gentle, patient and happy.
Later, as teenagers, she’d wait up for us with coffee and cinnamon buns on Friday and Saturday nights, and we’d chat for hours. Mom was eternally curious about the details of our lives and those of our close friends.
Even after the kids left home – each departure a great upheaval and one of the rare times we would see mom cry – she called her daughters every day for years, until they had stable relationships of their own. She just needed to know that her babies were safe, even though the youngest of those babies was already an anesthesiologist in Toronto.
Sherry had an unflinching belief in the ability of her kids to achieve whatever they put their minds to, which gave us the confidence to be independent and successful in our own lives.
She knew who she was, lived life on her terms and didn’t care a whit about what anyone else thought. She was as strong, smart and determined as they came, yet incredibly gentle. Her independence of mind and stubbornness were hallmarks till the end, and her eccentricities will be the stuff of family legend.
Sherry’s home was a haven for her and her brood for her entire life. She is still at home now, in the only lasting home we can ever have, in the hearts and loving memories of her kids and grandkids, where she will remain, smiling, forever.
Mom’s generosity extended to everyone she touched in her life and was especially evident in her relationship with the ladies who cared for her these last eight years, after Ben passed away: Shirley Halpenny, Cresilda Magno, Susan Genido, Lisa Comia and Gloria Laconico. Sherry had a special relationship with each of them, and they clearly loved and took exceptional care of her. Our family will be forever grateful for their devotion and kindness.
Donations can be made to the Sherry and Ben Chochinov Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ARIEL GLINTER
Ariel Glinter, beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend, died in Winnipeg on June 11, 2024. He was 36 years old. Ariel was born in Winnipeg, MB, where he attended the Talmud Torah I. L. Peretz Folk School, the Gray Academy of Jewish Education, and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and from the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba with a Juris Doctor degree. In law school he received numerous awards for academic excellence, including Dean’s Honour List in 2010 – 2011 and 2011 – 2012. After practicing law for three years at Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP, Ariel joined Maqabim Distributors as director of business development and regulatory compliance. In his role at Maqabim he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues throughout the industry for his knowledge, passion, acumen, and good humour. Ariel was a generous, kind, passionate, and insightful person who had a profound impact on those who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Nancy and Harry; his siblings, Ruthie (Daniel), Ezra, Hannah (Koby), and Leah; and by many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be mourned and missed by his family and by the many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched.
Obituaries
SHEILA ESTELLE LINDER May 27, 1934 – June 14, 2024
The family of Sheila Linder announces her passing after a long life well lived. Sheila was the beloved wife of Elvin (Al), cherished mother to Faith (Hart) Kaplan, Nadine Linder and Marshall Linder, adored Baba to Adam (Michaela) Kaplan, Yael Kaplan, Hadera Short, and Jeremy (CC) Short. She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Rita Shapera Jacob and Gerald (Pauline) Silverman, 38 nieces and nephews, six cousins and many dear friends.
Sheila grew up in Winnipeg’s north end as the middle child of Dolly Rossen and Isadore Silverman, surrounded by three generations of the extended Silverman, Levitan and Rossen families, whose stories of mischief and daring, poverty and prosperity, sorrow and joy were shared with her children to reinforce the importance of family.
Al met Sheila at a dance when she was 17, confided to a friend that she was the girl he would marry, and began courting her. They were married on December 26, 1953. Sheila enjoyed her career as a Kelly Girl office temp and Al joined his father-in-law at Western Scrap Metals.
Sheila and Al created a wonderful life during their 72 years together. As a young married woman, she played Mahjong, bowled in a 10-pin league, and volunteered with women’s service groups including Hadassah WIZO and Pioneer Women. When she and Al were ready to start a family, they adopted three children into a home filled with love and Jewish values.
She learned to speak Yiddish growing up and took Hebrew lessons as an adult to help her children with their homework. Her volunteerism expanded to included school PTAs and the Manitoba Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. When a newly formed couples’ group was created in the ’70s, Sheila became involved in its programming and was co-chair for a period of time. Sheila and Al recently attended a Yachad program, still going strong after 50 years, where they were proudly among the oldest members.
Sheila and Al travelled to Israel, Europe, Mexico, Jamaica and enjoyed family trips to Detroit Lakes, Miami Beach, Disney Land, and Disney World. In their later years they wintered in Palm Springs and Florida.
Sheila loved people and their life stories. She was an avid reader, and encouraged her children’s reading by filling the family home with books, comics, and magazine subscriptions, including the complete World Book encyclopedia. Her standard response to any question: “Look it up”. She was always well informed and ready to discuss current affairs.
She enjoyed shopping, and every life-cycle event was celebrated with a card, a gift, and often, a new outfit. The Linder home was filled with beautiful furniture, paintings, fabrics, and collectibles. A consummate hostess, her parties were always tailored to the occasion with special foods and serving pieces reserved for that particular event. Her daily essentials included flowers and plants, classic films, autobiographies and novels, the newspaper and TV news, crossword puzzles, bread, sweets, and her iPad.
Sheila Linder was a generous soul whose love for family and friends was boundless. She and Al lived independently in their condo with devoted assistance provided by her dear friend Maria. The family is indebted to the medical professionals who provided care over the years.
Sheila attended summer camp when she was 15 and it changed her life. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sunshine Fund for Campers or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
LINDA COHEN (nee FRIDELL) August 2, 1946 – June 2, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda, a loving wife, mother, baba and sister, at the age of 77.
Linda will be missed greatly by her loving family: husband Syd of 56 years; daughters, Rhonda Cohen and Michelle (Geoff) Slotin; sister Joanie (Milton) Fridell and grandchildren, Jessica (Cody) Cohen and Morgan Slotin.
Linda was predeceased by her parents, Ann and Morris Fridell.
Linda was born in Winnipeg and spent most of her childhood and teen years on Matheson Avenue where, at the age of six, she met her beloved Syd. From then on, Linda and Syd were best friends and inseparable until Linda’s passing. Linda graduated from St. John’s High School and shortly after married Syd on July 9, 1967, at the Bnai Abraham Synagogue.
Linda had various jobs, but is best known for her time working at Eatons in the Garden City Mall. Linda was a loving and caring homemaker, wife, mother, baba and sister who cherished every moment spent with her family.
Linda lost her battle with lung cancer and passed peacefully at Riverview Health Centre.
Services were held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park Cemetery. Thank you to Cantor Tracy Kasner and the staff at the Etz Chayim Synagogue.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Etz Chayim Education Fund.
Her memory will live on
in our hearts forever.