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
JO ANN GREISMAN Yocheved Yael March 19, 1947 – August 27, 2024
I died today, August 27, 2024.
Viewed as a whole my life was quite ordinary, and yet I was blessed. I was born, educated, did a variety of things – some successful, some not so, some crazy, some tedious; travelled some, worked lots; married; embraced Reform Judaism; had children; divorced; faced my own mortality, continued to learn and to strive to make my life a blessing.
Born Jo Ann Van Buren to Bluebell Charlesworth and Joseph Van Buren, I was the last of six children (Hugh, Carl, George, Beryl and Brian). Memories of my childhood, first in Norwood and in Fort Garry remain vivid. Van Buren’s Snack Bar/Restaurant was the backdrop of my early life, and there, under my mother’s tutelage, I learned: to work; to value every human being; to develop an open mind; to vote, as it is a responsibility and a privilege; to take enjoyment from simple things; to love; to revel in the miracle of life.
The business and joy of life and love is now left to my children, Amanda (Blair), Jennie (Shabi), and David; my granddaughters, Naomi, Ofri, Ma’ayan, Amelia, and Kenna; as well my long time chaver in life and business, Len Greisman; and friends who inspired and lifted me up along the way …. David T, David V, Kenny, Linda, Lisa, Michele, Sandy and so many others.
I don’t believe in a traditional god, yet I write….
May El Shaddai, the god who is enough, grant you peace. Amen
Service at Temple Shalom October 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
By the time you read this, I will have walked through the gateway of the grave, perhaps to a chance at another life, or wandering the Kotel at 2:00 in the morning, or exploring the astounding Korea. All unlikely scenarios, but for certain I will have returned to The One.
Thank you all!
Toda raba (Hebrew)
Gam-sa-ham-ni-da (Korean)
Life goes on! Grab it wholeheartedly.
Obituaries
SIDNEY BURSTEN
For Sidney Bursten, 83, the adventure that was his life ended suddenly when he died, Friday, August 9, 2024. It is perhaps noteworthy that Sid died in the same city he was born in, Winnipeg, because the odds might have been against it. It is only one of many cities Sid had lived in during his several careers, beginning with Red Deer, Alberta before he married. Then there were the cities he and his wife, Brenda Barrie Bursten, who survives him, lived in together, a life they both saw as an adventure. They began in Calgary, Alberta, then Edmonton, moved briefly to Indianapolis, Indiana; then spent a decade in Madison, Wisconsin; returned to Winnipeg for a decade long stay, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota; Orange County, California; Baltimore, Maryland; returned to Orange County once again, and finally to Winnipeg (a final trip Brenda and Sid described as being ‘kid’napped by their kids, and ‘a darn good thing’).
Sid began his career as a journalist in Winnipeg with Rupert Shrier and continued with a brief stay at The Jewish Post and News but he could see computers were the coming thing so he took The Downtowner, a newspaper he created, into computer typesetting. In Madison, Wisconsin he made himself familiar with the earliest of computing, with punch cards. Later he taught himself early computer programming languages, which eventually led him to high level work in the American healthcare industry and a job with IBM.
In addition to his wife Brenda Barrie Bursten, Sid is survived by two daughters Renata Bursten and Aviva Cohen (Joseph) and nine grandchildren: Simon Bursten, Maks and Ben Doerksen, Aliza Hornstein (Amichai), Elli, Arie, Shuli, Yaakov and Ezra Cohen and seven great grandchildren, all resident in Israel: Mia, Ori, Asher, Akiva and Laya Hornstein and Roni and Lia Bursten. He is further survived by his sister Roberta Bursten (Darren) and nephews Mark Eberstein (Margot and grand niece Miley) Scott Eberstein, and Michael and Matthew Bursten. His parents Shelagh and Morris Bursten and brother Leslie Bursten, all of California, predeceased him.
Sid ended his days as a resident in the Simkin Centre and his family in Winnipeg would like to thank the staff of the Centre for making the last year and a half of his life so pleasant and comfortable, despite the difficulties of Parkinsons. Sid enjoyed the care he received, the food, the activities, the music. In fact for him Simkin was like Cheers – “everyone knew his name.” Sid’s family would also like the Centre to know they could not have asked for better. Right from the beginning he was open to the idea. When he was told he was going to go to Simkin he said, “that sounds like a good idea.” And it was.
Obituaries
MORLEY SLONIM, DDS March 30, 1931 – July 7, 2024
Peacefully on July 7, 2024, at the age of 93.
He will be forever missed by his wife of almost 66 years, Lil. Loving father and father-in-law to Shari (Jeff Shulman) and Marni (Gavin Rich). Adored Zaida Moe to his grandchildren, Dylan, Cory, Samantha (Jake), Seth, Justin (Katie), Jordan, Jamie, Jadon, Asher, and Lily. Devoted uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle and great-great-great uncle to his nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his parents, Henry and Anne, and brothers, Sidney and Aubrey.
Born in Winnipeg’s North End in 1931, Morley attended Peretz School, Machray and St. John’s Tech. After attending the University of Manitoba for his undergraduate degree, he spent four years in Toronto, graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry in 1958. He practiced for many years in Fort Garry and retired in 1992. He was able to enjoy more than 30 years of retirement, working out religiously and spending invaluable time with friends and family.
A man of many interests, he prided himself on being able to fix everything he could, cared for his yard and garden, had a keen interest in sports and was a loyal fan of the Winnipeg Jets for many years. He also followed politics and world events, was fascinated by the construction of buildings and loved music.
He was known for his quick wit and sense of humour and tried not to miss an opportunity to make a joke or pun or pull a prank.
The funeral was held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on July 10, 2024. The family wishes to thank the pallbearers, Abe Borzykowski, Justin Gertenstein, Dylan Huber, Jordan Gertenstein, Jeff Shulman and Gavin Rich as well as the honorary pallbearers, Bryan Borzykowski, David Borzykowski and Josh Chisick.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Hayward and Dr. Vidal for their dedicated care over the years.
Donations can be made to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Morley and Lil Slonim Fund at
www.jewishfoundation.org or 204-477-7520
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