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
MARJORIE BAKALINSKY
It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that our family announce the peaceful passing of our dear sweet mother Marjorie Bakalinsky.
Mom passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Simkin Centre.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Joseph Weinstein; her sister Shirley; her in-laws, Dora and Beryl Bakalinsky; her sister-in-law Rosalie; and most recently, her dearest brother in-law Shia. Mom is survived by her loving and dedicated life long partner Leonard; her children Rachelle (Bob), Marty (Theresa), Cheryl (Avrum) and Gayle (Frank); her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David (Andrea), Daniel, Joshua, Kaitlyn, Carllen, and Jerrett; her sister Kayla (Saul), sister-in-law Miriam (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews.
Mom was born in Winnipeg on March 7, 1935. She was raised as a youngster in the north end on Burrows Ave, then moved to Ferry Rd in St. James where her parents owned a grocery store. After graduating high school in 1953, she enrolled in nursing school in Chicago. She spent one year studying in Chicago, came home for summer break, met our dad, fell in love and didn’t go back. On June 5, 1955, Mom and Dad exchanged their wedding vows and were able to celebrate 69 years of marital bliss.
Mom always put others in front of herself, especially our dad, her children and grandchildren. She was the most unselfish woman we have ever known and loved. The matriarch of our family. Our home on Coralberry Ave. was always an open door to our many childhood friends.
Mom loved our cottage at Falcon Lake where many wonderful memories were made over the years, with her grandchildren always by her side. That gave her the greatest joy.
For over 25 years Mom and Dad’s second home was in Margate, Florida. Every year Mom would welcome her children and grandchildren to their Florida home, where there was always a home cooked meal on the dinner table.
There were many things Mom loved to do. One was playing mahjong with her weekly groups in Winnipeg and in Florida. Mom was an active member of Hadassah and was very involved in the Bnay Abraham Synagogue sisterhood. All of these were secondary to her love for her husband, children and grandchildren.
When it came to the point where her family felt Mom was no longer safe in her own home, Dad made the very difficult decision to make the Simkin Centre her new home. All the staff at Simkin who cared for Mom treated her with respect and dignity. Mom’s family will forever be grateful to the wonderful people at the Simkin Centre.
To Rabbi Matthew Leibl, thank you for being a source of support for our family. Your presence helped guide us through mom’s stay in Simkin.
Mom, we love you to the moon and back and beyond.
Forever remembered, forever loved!
In loving memory of our mom, Marjorie, donations can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
CAROL SLATER (née GENSER)
With great courage on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Treasured daughter of the late Esther and the late Percy. Beloved wife of Ron for 69 years. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Charles and Dina Slater, Erin and Joe Battat, Adam and Kit, Claudia and the late David. Cherished grandmother of Zach, Robert and Hydi, Ben and Martha, Liam and Addison, Thom and Emeline, Max, Ilai, Emanuelle and Eli. Proud great-grandmother of Rafael, Lily, Maya, and Jojo. Special sister and sister-in-law of David and Joan Genser, Roberta and Mayer Lawee; and sister-in-law of Joel and Sheila Slater. Greatly missed by her nieces, nephews, family, friends and by all who knew her.
The family would like to thank Drs. Shamy, Lipes, Chang, the doctors, nurses and staff at the Jewish General Hospital Palliative Care Unit as well as DeyDey, Linette and everyone who took such wonderful care of our Mom.
Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Sunday, November 10 at 9:30 a.m. Livestream available. Burial in Israel.
Donations in her memory may be made to the “Carol and Ron Scholarship” c/o Mothers Matter Canada 1-604-676-8250
Publish Date: Nov 9, 2024
CAROL SLATER
(née GENSER)
With great courage on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Treasured daughter of the late Esther and the late Percy. Beloved wife of Ron for 69 years. Loving mother and mother-in-law of Charles and Dina Slater, Erin and Joe Battat, Adam and Kitt, Claudia and the late David. Cherished grandmother of Zach, Robert and Hydi, Ben and Martha, Liam and Addison. Proud great-grandmother of Rafael, Lily, Maya, and Jojo. Special sister and sister-in-law of David and Joan Genser, Roberta and Mayer Lawee; and sister-in-law of Joel and Sheila Slater. Greatly missed by her nieces, nephews, family, friends and by all who knew her.
The family would like to thank Drs. Shamy, Lipes, Chang, the doctors, nurses and staff at the Jewish General Hospital Palliative Care Unit as well as DeyDey, Linette and everyone who took such wonderful care of our Mom.
Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Sunday, November 10 at 9:30 a.m. Live stream available. Burial in Israel.
Donations in her memory may be made to the “Carol and Ron Scholarship” c/o Mothers Matter Canada 1-604-676-8250
Obituaries
VIKTOR LEWIN
October 10, 1949 – November 4, 2024
For the last two years Viktor had been battling cancer. He fought hard, and the last two weeks he fought his hardest. He lost his battle against cancer on November 4, 2024.
Viktor is survived by his loving wife Laura, his daughter Brianne (grandson Abraham), daughter-in-law Karly (granddaughters, Reah Shine, Zoey Riley), son Eli, stepsons Gordon and Grant, stepdaughter Kathryn, and many step-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife Cheryl, his parents, Jacob and Elfrieda Lewin.
He was very proud of his Jewish heritage, and celebrated the Jewish holidays; Laura learned to cook lots of Jewish dishes for him.
Viktor attended Jefferson High School, University of Winnipeg, and University of Manitoba.
He was a City transit operator for 28 years. After retiring he worked for Safeway for five years.
He met Laura in 2010, both retired, we had many wonderful trips, took pride in redoing the house and our yard. Viktor’s passion was his beautiful garden, front and back. Many hours were spent looking after flowers and lawns.
As per Viktor’s wish, there will be a private increment and no service.