Obituaries
SHIFFRA FENSON
An unveiling for Shiffra Fenson was held August 13, 2023 at Rosh Pina Memorial Park Cemetery in Winnipeg.Shiffra Fenson passed away January 4, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with services held at Etz Chayim Synagogue in Winnipeg. Pallbearers were son-in law David Bronstein, nephew Robert Kligerman, great nephew Ben Elkin, Paul Knight, Brian Scharfstein and David Shnider.
Shiffie (as she was known to her friends and family) was first generation Canadian, born February 19, 1926 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Sarah (Sedletsky) and Morris Kligerman of Nicolayev and Odessa, Russia. Her parents gave her a loving, nurturing home, traits she inherited and embodied as she was raising her own family. Her father Morris was the proprietor of Kligerman Bindery. Shiffie always remembered his quiet demeanour – but when speaking, a man of deep knowledge and respect for others. From her mother Sarah, Shiffie learned much – patience, the traditional values of keeping a Jewish home and, notably, the art of cooking. It was from her mother’s lessons that Shiffie’s kitchen became legendary. There wasn’t a dish she didn’t master, from the most delicate pastries, to the main courses of the Jewish holidays.
Raised in Winnipeg’s north end, Shiffie attended elementary, junior and senior high school where she made close friendships that would last a lifetime. No matter the challenges that prevailed at the time for most children of immigrant families, she had a happy childhood, and along with elder sister Eva and brother Bill, she enjoyed a home of security and love.
In 1944, Shiffie would meet Morley Fenson, a sailor on leave from his World War II naval duties. In 1946, they married and in the following years would have 3 children; Ronna, Kenny and Carla. Hoping to advance Morley’s business career, the family left Winnipeg in 1960. It would be the beginning of a multi-year adventure that would take them to Tupelo, MS, back to Winnipeg, to San Diego, CA, St, Louis, Mo. and finally back to Winnipeg. During that period Shiffie navigated taking care of her family, making warm, loving homes in 8 different houses and settling her 3 children in over 10 different schools. And yet despite all the challenges, she managed it with the grace, focus and love that were the hallmarks of her life. Somehow, she managed the time to forge her own lifelong friendships at every stop.The family’s return to Winnipeg in 1966 gave her the opportunity to spend time with her family and cherished childhood friends. Her kitchen table was famous not just for the delights of her cooking, but for coffee and conversation with all, not the least of which were her children’s friends who felt her warmth, understanding and compassion.Although steeped in the traditions of the times, Shiffie always had a wide variety of interests. During the day her home was filled with the classical music and news shows of the CBC. She was a voracious reader of books of all kinds, always up to date on world events and enjoyed whatever latest exhibit happened to be at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.As her children grew older and with more time available to her, she pursued interests outside the home, including volunteer work at what was then the Rape Crisis Center and reading to the children at the Norquay School.In 1985 she and Morley retired to Palm Springs, CA where they spent their time hosting friends, and enjoy playing bridge and golf. In 2002 they moved to Chapel Hill, NC to be closer to family. Even at this stage, Shiffie embraced and established new friendships and is remembered there for her lifelong traits of intellect, grace and generosity.
Shiffie was all about family. Even though they were often separated by distances, she would do all she could to ensure that her children knew their uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends. She insisted on travel to anywhere there was a family celebration and nothing would bring a happier smile than seeing all her family and friends together at a celebratory occasion. She took great pride in seeing this legacy take root in her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren, who remain connected and close.
A woman who lived a long, event filled and gratifying life, Shiffie is predeceased by her husband Morley, mother Sarah Kligerman (Sedletsky), father Morris Kligerman, sister Eva and brother in law Lou Elkin, brother Bill and sister-in-law Selma Kligerman, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Leo and Shirley Fenson, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harry and Leah Fenson, sister-in-law Anita Fenson.
We are forever grateful to have had her for all these years, but nonetheless she is so very much missed by daughters Carla (David Bronstein) and Ronna, son Ken (Susan), her 7 grandchildren: Mira, Shana, Ben, Sarah, Joel, Danielle and Jacqueline, great -randchildren Morgan, Preston, Taliah, Remy and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
On September 6th, 2023, Samuel (Sam) Isaac Wilder, K.C., passed away at the age of 83 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.
Sam was born on August 2nd, 1940, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to parents Jack and Rose (Garfinkel) Wilder, who emigrated from Romania. After graduating from St. John’s Technical High School in 1957, Sam continued his education at the University of Manitoba, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 1961. Sam obtained his Bachelor of Law in 1965, earning the University of Manitoba/Law Society of Manitoba Gold Medal, among many other academic distinctions. Sam was well-respected as a contributor to the Winnipeg Jewish and broader communities and for his 56-year career as a litigator. Sam and his brother, Joe, built their law firm Wilder Wilder & Langtry LLP from the ground up and managed it until it merged with PKF Lawyers in 2020.
More importantly, Sam was known and loved by all for his character. With a smile that would light up a room, Sam will be remembered for his kindness, personability, humour, intelligence, and compassion. When he was not in the office, you could find Sam sitting on the docks at Winnipeg Beach, watching the Blue Bombers play, and spending time with his family, who were the most important thing in the world to him. Sam loved the outdoors, whether it was enjoying a meal in his screened veranda, riding his bike with his grandchildren, or, in his younger days, training for his next marathon. Sam also loved to golf with his friends, whether in Florida at Gleneagles, or at the Glendale Golf and Country Club here in Winnipeg, where he almost lost an eye after ricocheting a ball off d a tree on the 12th hole.
There are truly no words capable of expressing how incredible of a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and person Sam was. His endless positivity and ability to bring out the best in everyone he touched will be dearly missed.
Sam is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Wendy, and his three children, Lisa, Raven, and Jonathan. His memory also lives on in his brother Joe, daughter-in-law Kylie, and five grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Ross, Mika, and Maxwell.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to family and friends from near and far, CancerCare Manitoba, home caregivers, and the palliative nursing team.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution in honour of Sam may be made to the Sam and Wendy Wilder Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (204-477-7520).
With great sadness we announce that beloved father, zeyda, uber-zeyda, uncle, and brother, Morley Rypp, passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2023 in Winnipeg.
Left to cherish his memory are his kids, Howie (Beatriz), and Robyn (Arnie Usiskin), grandchildren Ma’ayan(Adam), Beth (Rob), Jacqui (Max), Adam(Adi), Natan(Tali) and great-grandchildren Ilai, Omri, Maya, Edie, Tamar, Basil, and Tom.
His beloved wife Shirley, his parents Joseph and Rose Rypp, and brother Meyer predeceased Morley.
Morley was born July 13, 1931 in Winnipeg’s North End. As a teenager, he found a passion playing basketball for the Stella Mission. The team, “The Stellars” was magic on the court winning the Canadian Dominion Championships in1950 & 1951. On the team, Morley made lasting friends who would continue to get together for reunions and stay very close throughout the years. The Stellars were inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 &84. These milestones saw the Stellars celebrating with weekend long reunions and dinners at Morley’s.
Morley went on to play with the University of Manitoba Bison’s while he was pursuing his pharmacy degree. Upon graduating, Morley opened Rypp’s Pharmacy on Corydon and Wentworth. He was a “workaholic”, spending most of his life working long hours but enjoying every minute – he had the ability to make everyone who came into the store feel welcome and important. He joined Shopper’s Drug Mart in the 1980’s, ending his career at the River and Osborne store.
Upon his retirement, he volunteered at many of Winnipeg’s cultural festivals – the Jazz Festival, Writer’s Festival, Fringe Festival to name a few. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteerism.
Family was very important to Morley. He was a devoted and loving husband to Shirley. He was so proud of the creative endeavours of Robyn and Howie, and was extremely proud of his three bright and talented granddaughters. He loved taking them to and from school when they were little, dropping them off at lessons, attending all their recitals, hosting them on winter trips in Marco Island Florida and summer trips on his boat in Gimli.
Morley was generous and wise, accepting and tolerant – he loved a good argument but not a confrontation – he would agree to disagree. He was fiercely independent, staying in his condo and driving his car up until the end. Morley lived a long and fruitful life – celebrating life, and living life on his terms. Above all he enjoyed being with his family, his friends, and all the people he encountered, leaving his mark and his beautiful memory with everyone. He lived life as a mentsch (a person of integrity and honour) and died like a saint – quietly before the Shabbat.
The funeral was held graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetary on August 14, 2023. Our thanks to the pallbearers, Jacqui Usiskin, Ma’ayan Rypp, Rob Freeman, Max Mertens, Steve Perlmutter, and Nathan Jacobson. Also our thanks go to Morley’s home care workers Minerva Ronquillo, Hermie Teluz, and Loida Panganiban.
Donations may be made to The Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame or to a charity of your choice.
We will miss Morley’s wisdom, humour and smile. May his memory always serve us as a blessing.
Phyllis Pollock died at home Sunday September 3, 2023 in Winnipeg, after a courageous lifetime battle with cancer.
Phyllis was a mother of four: Gary (Laura), daughter Randi, Steven (deceased in 2010) (Karen), and Robert. Phyllis also had two grandchildren: Lauren and Quinn.
Born in Fort Frances, Ontario on February 7, 1939, Phyllis was an only child to Ruby and Alex Lerman. After graduating high school, Phyllis moved to Winnipeg where she married and later divorced Danny Pollock, the father of her children. She moved to Beverly Hills in 1971, where she raised her children.
Phyllis had a busy social life and lucrative real estate career that spanned over 50 years, including new home sales with CoastCo. Phyllis was the original sales agent for three buildings in Santa Monica, oceanfront: Sea Colony I, Sea Colony II, and Sea Colony. She was known as the Sea Colony Queen. She worked side by side with her daughter Randi for about 25 years – handling over 600 transactions, including sales and leases within the three phases of Sea Colony alone.
Phyllis had more energy than most people half her age. She loved entertaining, working in the real estate field, meeting new and interesting people everyday no matter where she went, and thrived on making new lifelong friends. Phyllis eventually moved to the Sea Colony in Santa Monica where she lived for many years before moving to Palm Desert, then Winnipeg.
After battling breast cancer four times in approximately 20 years, she developed metastatic Stage 4 lung cancer. Her long-time domestic partner of 27 years, Joseph Wilder, K.C., was the love of her life. They were never far apart. They traveled the world and went on many adventures during their relationship. During her treatment, Phyllis would say how much she missed work and seeing her clients. Joey demonstrated amazing strength, love, care, and compassion for Phyllis as her condition progressed. He was her rock and was by her side 24/7, making sure she had the best possible care. Joey’s son David was always there to support Phyllis and to make her smile. Joey’s other children, Sheri, Kenny, Joshua and wife Davina, were also a part of her life. His kids would Facetime Phyllis and include her during any of their important functions. Phyllis loved Joey’s children as if they were her own.
Thank you to all of her friends and family who were there to support her during these difficult times. Phyllis is now, finally, pain free and in a better place. She was loved dearly and will be greatly missed. Interment took place in Los Angeles.
