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Obituaries

SHIRLEY ETHEL KOZLOWICH (née SCHEIMAN)

Kozlowich ShirleyIt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful Mother and Baba Shirley Kozlowich at the age of 72. With family by her side, Shirley peacefully passed away on July 18th, 2021.

Shirley will be lovingly remembered by her children, Shane Kozlowich (Carly Shuler), Tara Kozlowich (Paul Shur), her grandchildren that she adored, Samara Shur, Paula Kozlowich, Bailee Shur and Sam Kozlowich, her sisters Fae Simon (Carl Findlay), Nancy Scheiman (Neil Stern), and Zahava Scheiman-Burkhardt (Klaus Scheiman-Burkhardt), her nephew Ari Simon, her niece Mariah Clarke (Kristian Clarke), her grandniece Sienna Clarke and many close relatives and friends.
Shirley was born on March 8th, 1949 in Stockholm, Sweden to Bella Scheiman (nee Knacker) and Moshe Scheiman. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1952 and settled in the North End where Shirley attended Peretz School, Luxton School and St John’s High School. As the oldest child, Shirley often looked after her sisters, enjoyed playing with them and remained close to them for the rest of her life. Shirley made many close friends in these early years and these deep friendships also continued for the rest of her life. While attending St. John’s, Shirley met her beloved Sam. They were married in 1970 and enjoyed 28 years of laughing, understanding and joy until Sam passed away in 1998.
Shirley attended the University of Manitoba where she studied Education and then taught Grades 2 and 3 at Champlain School. After some time away from teaching while Shane and Tara were in elementary school, Shirley returned to teaching at Miles Macdonell Collegiate where she taught for the rest of her career. She was so proud of her students that had immigrated to Canada much as she had and found great joy in inspiring her students through her teaching. She loved running into her students where they would often approach her to say thank you for helping them in their early days in Canada. Shirley especially loved teaching at the same school as Sam and with the life-long friends she made there.
Shirley retired in 2013 following which she continued to enjoy doing crosswords and reading in the sun, but mainly she spent every minute she could with her grandchildren. Her love for them was always on display, whether buying them treats at the vending machine, being first in line at their various concerts, sports events, dance recitals, or simply playing silly games with them on the floor. Shirley was her family’s biggest cheerleader and she encouraged and supported her children and grandchildren with kindness and patience. Shirley’s life was focussed on the lives of her grandchildren, much as her life was focussed on the lives of Shane and Tara when they were younger. Shirley’s children and grandchildren knew what it meant to be so loved and that feeling will forever be missed but also lovingly remembered.
Shirley was predeceased by her parents Bella and Moshe, and by Sam Kozlowich, her high school sweetheart and husband.
Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Special thanks to Cantor Tracy Kasner, a dear friend of Shane and Tara’s for her beautiful eulogy and support during this difficult time. Memorial donations may be made to the Shirley Kozlowich Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

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Obituaries

RHONDA MATIAS

Rhonda Matias (nee Rykiss) passed away peacefully December 31, 2024, in Toronto, surrounded by her children.

Daughter of the late Belle and the late Max Rykiss of Winnipeg. Rhonda was born in Winnipeg on May 3, 1944, and raised in both the North End on Inkster Boulevard and later Cordova Street in Winnipeg’s South End. Her family nickname was Cookie as her father said she had a round face. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, only to be called back to Winnipeg to take care of her ailing mother.

Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Rhonda was an independent and successful businesswoman. She worked in retail sales for her parents and from her basement, and later was a successful sales rep. Rhonda was a well-known and beloved figure at her own enterprise, A Store is Born, at the Winnipeg International Airport.

She loved fashion and art and followed in her mother and sister’s footsteps of cooking and baking. She read newspapers, kept in close contact with friends and family, stayed in shape and liked to spend time in the sun.

Rhonda relocated to Toronto in 2000 to be closer to family. She made many new friends and nurtured her love for dogs.

She is survived by her children, Debbi-Jo Matias (Kevin Filkow), Marshall Matias (Merav Barr). Bubbi Cookie adored her grandchildren, Mikaela Matias, Jack Matias, Jesse Filkow and Ari Filkow. She is also survived by her brother Bruce M. Rykiss and aunt Fay Rykiss, nieces and nephews, Jodi Sprackman (Paul), Steven Gilletz (Cheryl Lis), Douglas Gilletz (Ariane Cohen). She was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Matias in June 1973.

Funeral services were held at Chesed Shel Emes and Shaarey Zedek Cemetery in Winnipeg on January 2, 2025, Rabbi Kliel Rose presiding, and Shiva was observed in Toronto.

Pallbearers were Kevin Filkow, Jesse Filkow, Jack Matias, Ari Filkow, Bryan Borzykowski and Steven London.

The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers, especially Michelle Ciego.

Donations may be made to Jewish Foundation of Manitoba – Rhonda Matias Memorial Fund in support of BB Camp, or charity of your choice.

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Obituaries

SYBIL RUBIN MARCH 18 1931 – SEPTEMBER 4 2024

Sybil passed on to her next adventure on September 4, 2024 at age 93 1/2.
She was a bright light in many people’s lives, most especially her loving family’s. Sybil lived her values with joy, energy, and purpose. She was always welcoming and inclusive, unwaveringly supportive, loving and optimistic. She volunteered extensively her time and skills with countless community organizations. She thrived on both teaching and learning, presenting celebrated book reviews, as a community presenter on the subjects of Israel and Hanukkah, and developing iconic programs like the Beth El Art Auctions.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Sybil was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba, and was elected to lead her college as Lady Stick of Arts in her senior year. Sybil met Manly Rubin – the love of her life – while in their teens in Winnipeg; they married in 1953. They immediately ventured off to Dublin, Ireland where Sybil earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Trinity College while Manly earned his medical degree. She loved their time in Dublin, which provided opportunities to explore various European countries.
They then moved to a small town in Saskatchewan where they welcomed their three children: Harry, Caron and Rochelle. With relocation to Minneapolis a few years later, Sybil threw her energy into her new community’s programs, her children’s activities, and volunteer opportunities. She remained a voracious reader (participating in three book clubs) and enthusiastic traveler into her 80’s, bringing her family on exotic foreign adventures after Manly passed away in 2010. She always delighted in attending plays, concerts and other performances. Hers was a life well lived.
Sybil is survived by her adoring children, Harry, Caron (Marc Meirovitz) and Rochelle Rubin (Scott Rutzick); sister, Rochelle Pincovich; grandchildren, Colin and Ethan Meirovitz, Shelby Rutzick and Boaz, Amalya and Gilad Rubin, as well as loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by husband, Manly Rubin; parents, Sam and Minnie Heft; sister, Connie Robinson; brothers and sister-in-law, Myles Robinson, Leon & Lainy and Jack Rubin and Aurel Pincovic

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Obituaries

ISAAC GOTFRIED

Isaac Gotfried passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 in his 100th year.

Isaac was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Hilda(nee Goldberg) and his brother Bernard.  The rest of his birth family perished in the Holocaust.

He is survived by his daughters, Irene Shapira (Gary), Susan Libby Hutton (Christopher), Marla Gaudet (Alan), and Paula Kerr (David); grandchildren, Jared, Laura, Casey (Stephen), Morgan (Marie Michele), Evan, Callum (Sophie) and Rowan; and great-grandchildren, Makenna, Jachin and Bodhi.

Isaac was very proud of the life he made for himself and his family in Winnipeg.  He was a devoted family man, a good friend and a hard worker.

Isaac was a survivor.  He was in several concentration camps, from ages 15-18, escaping into the woods shortly before liberation.  He testified against the Nazis at the Buchenwald trials in Dachau, Germany, in 1947.  

After retiring from a very successful career with London Life, he devoted his energy to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the horrors of the Holocaust by speaking to over 25,000 people at schools, museums and conferences locally and internationally.    He was interviewed by newspapers, television, documentarians, and PhD candidates.  His legacy has been captured on film, in print and by the Shoah Foundation.  He wanted to ensure that the Holocaust was never forgotten.  He ended every lecture and interview with the words ‘Never again’.  

At the age of 92, Isaac published his memoir ‘Lucky to Survive’ which sold over 1000 copies.  At Isaac’s request, all proceeds were donated to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.  He was very proud of the book, selling it to everybody he met, even his ambulance attendants.   

Isaac loved and was loved and respected by many.  He was very sociable, generous, a great story teller, and loved telling a good joke.  He was an excellent bridge player, playing at least twice a week right up to his admission to hospital.  He was a very intelligent, self-educated man.  He loved to travel with Hilda and spend the winters in Florida or Palm Springs.  

Thank you to the Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence staff and friends who became such a huge part of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Isaac requested that donations be made to the Jewish Heritage Centre’s Holocaust Education Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

The funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:30 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg.  It will also be live streamed.   Shiva will be in the library at The Shaftesbury, 905 Shaftesbury blvd on Friday from 2-4 pm and Saturday from 7-9 pm.

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