Obituaries
TANIA DOLOVICH September 5th, 1931 – May 2nd, 2021
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tania Dolovich (née Fridell) four months shy of her 90th birthday. She is survived by her children Michael (Pat), Allan (Kayla), Jeffrey (Laurie) and Gary (Christa) and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived as well by her sister Miriam, her brother Jerry (Cynthia) and many nieces, nephews and other family members. Tania was predeceased by her parents David and Ruth Fridell, and her husband, Sam Dolovich.
Mom was born in Regina but lived her life in Winnipeg’s North End. She attended St. John’s High School.
Mom was a vibrant, vivacious woman with a strong independent spirit. She was a remarkable mixture of kindness and strength, bold when she needed to be, reticent when the occasion called for it.
Deeply intelligent, a voracious reader, and with a vocabulary few could match, it was near madness to challenge her to a game of scrabble or to try and outdo her in the most complex of crosswords. And yet she always seemed so proud when you put “boat” out on the board to her own word, “existential” (triple word score). When she saw the deep disappointment on your face, she would take pains to point out that luckily she just got some better tiles – the thing is, though, she meant it.
One of Mom’s proudest early achievements was her work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce. She became an integral part of that organization and gained the respect of the people she worked with. She spoke often of her time at the JCC and her face, inevitably, would light up.
Mom met her husband-to-be, Sam, when he rented a room from her parents while he was studying at university. Tania was still living at home and over time she and Sam became increasingly fond of each other.
Tania and Sam married on September 7th, 1952.
Mom and Dad were married for over 50 years and few couples have been as devoted to one another as they were. It is impossible to catalogue even a fraction of their life together as husband and wife, but it is also just as impossible to forget that magical moment when they danced together for hours under the moonlight at Disneyland as the Harry James Orchestra serenaded them with their children looking on.
Between 1957 and 1966 Tania and Sam had four sons together – Michael, Allan, Jeffrey and Gary.
Mom was deeply involved in community theatre and acting generally. She regularly performed in productions at Rainbow Stage, the Warehouse Theatre and MTC. She acted in productions such as The Diary of Anne Frank. She sang with the late Sara Udow and the Rosh Pina Choir, and performed with the Jewish Community Players at the YMHA. She also did commercials for both radio and television and appeared in magazines for companies such as Eaton’s and Simpson Sears. Additionally, she appeared in small roles on CBC Television.
Mom was always so humble about her achievements in the performing arts. She never thought it was a big deal – it was just something she enjoyed. She was, however, very proud of having worked with noted directors John Hirsch and Malka Lerner.
She was the consummate professional, always. And she was always available to help bring out the best performance in other actors.
For many years Mom worked at Alcan-Price Extrusions Ltd., and, in fact, retired from Alcan in 1996 after a long and successful career there, first as a part time secretary, and eventually progressing to become a business administrator with the company. She was dedicated to the company and became the representative major customers such as Loewen Windows and New Flyer came to depend upon.
Mom was devoted to her family and sustained it in the most trying of circumstances. When Dad took ill at a relatively young age, she engaged in Herculean efforts in order to ensure that the family not only survived, but thrived. Life continued unabated. Because of her tireless effort and incessant, heroic advocacy, Dad lived the rest of his life at home with his wife and family. For her sons, school, music lessons, summer vacations at Winnipeg Beach, Gimli and Sandy Hook all became part of the fabric of the family’s memories when by all accounts, given the magnitude of the challenges she was forced to confront, they shouldn’t have been. There was no shortage of other challenges she faced over the years and yet she faced each one with an indomitable spirit. Despite the many demands, she always made each of us believe she had all the time in the world. Mom’s greatest joys were her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
And throughout those years, during both good times and bad, there was always Tania and Miriam. It is difficult to put into words the nature of the relationship between these two sisters. During their younger years they looked so much alike even people who knew them well could have difficulty telling them apart. The fact is, though, they were very different people and yet the bond between them was unbreakable right from childhood to Mom’s last day. To say they were best friends as well as sisters, while true, doesn’t do them justice. They were inseparable.
During her final years Mom continued to be a joyful, musical presence in the lives of all who knew her. You always knew she was happy when you could hear her singing from the elevator.
For some time, a tall, handsome man has been waiting patiently for his dazzlingly beautiful wife to arrive, and together, now each loosened from the physical constraints that bound them in this world, they are free to spend eternity in each others’ arms and dance to the music of Harry James, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey.
The family wishes to extend its deep appreciation for the incredible comfort, care and support she received from the staff of the Simkin Centre.
A graveside funeral service was officiated by Rabbi Anibal Mass on May 5th, 2021 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Avrom Charach, Howard Kideckel, David Litvack, Liam Pollock, Reese Ratson and Myron Schultz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Simkin Centre or to a charity of one’s choice.
Obituaries
JACOB (JACK) KLEIMAN FEBRUARY 8, 1927 – AUGUST 19, 2024
It was with great sorrow that we announced the passing of Jacob (Jack) Kleiman (Jacob ben Moishe) on Monday August 19, 2024 (16, Av) in his 98th year.
He was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Rose Kleiman, his brother, Harvey, and his sisters, Florence (the late Louis Selby), Betty (the late Joseph Gilfix) and Ruth (the late Ben Aisenstat). He is survived by his sister Ann of Bethesda, U.S.A. (the late Harold Eist). He will be missed by his many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grandnieces.
Jack’s maternal grandparents were among the pioneer families established in the then Hirsch Colony (founded 1892) by the Jewish Colonization Association in the Southeast corner of Saskatchewan. Jack and his late brother Harvey lived and farmed on the same land purchased by their parents in the area.
In later years he and his brother developed many business interests: initially farm implement and automotive sales and later oil exploration companies including Poplar Developments Ltd., drilling locally. They were well known in the surrounding community and were generous supporters of local charitable initiatives such as the Estevan General Hospital.
Jack and his brother were the last Jewish farmers in the Hirsch area and over the years were the subject of many literary articles and television interviews. Jack and his brother helped to maintain the Jewish cemetery in the Hirsch area until it was taken over as a historical site by the province. Due to advancing age, the family farm was sold in 2016 and both retired to Calgary to be nearer to family. This marked the closing of one chapter of Jewish history in Canada.
Jack was a talented mechanic who remained married to the land and devoted to his family. He was ever of good spirit. Although frail in body, Jack remained active mentally and involved in life until the end being always interested in the happenings of his extended family.
It is hard to adequately sum up a long life marked by both hard work, dedication to family, and good humour. The entire family remember him and honour him with love, affection, and good memories.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbours in the Estevan area who provided help and support during his last years and especially to his dedicated care givers in Calgary.
The funeral was held in Calgary on August 22, 2024, at the Chevra Kadisha Chapel with interment at the 37th Street Jewish Cemetery.
The unveiling will take place on July 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the same location. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
EDITH LANDY
June 30, 1920 – July 2, 2025
After a long and fulfilling life, our Mother passed on July 2, 2025. Born in Winnipeg, she grew up as part of a large extended family.
Mother was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Mayer Freiden and Rivka (nee Fordman), our father, David Landy, and her sisters Syma Katz and Jennie Rich. Edith is survived by her five children and their families: Laurie Landy and Nora Spinks, Barbara and Paul Livingston, Bob and Rhonda Landy, Mark Landy and Jenifer, and Martin Landy, her grandchildren Saralyn, Adam, Alex, Joshua, Ethan, Caitlin, David, Alicia, Lily, and six great-grandchildren, her cousins Norma Chernick and Shlomo Mayman and her many friends and relatives.
Mom grew up as part of a large extended family in the North End of Winnipeg, guided by her father’s values of service, community and the importance of family. She entered the School of Nursing at the Winnipeg General Hospital, now the Health Sciences Centre. She progressed from general duty nurse to nursing supervisor and served as the Assistant Director of Nursing for 15 years until her retirement in 1983. Over the course of her five-decade nursing career, she raised five children, managed a household, cared for many extended family members and remained actively involved in the community.
Community was a foundation of Mom’s life. Mom was very proud of her volunteering at the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Winnipeg Folk Fest and other community events. She and David were patrons of the arts, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Manitoba Opera. In 2024, she was recognized as the longest continuous subscriber to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The North Centennial Seniors Association played an important role in our parents’ later years. She ran her kitchen crew, supervised Hot Dog Day and provided food for many bus trips. Mom’s legacy was the Grandma Grandpa Swim Club, which she established, raised funds for, and built into a strong organization.
After a long and remarkable life of service and giving care, Mom accepted the need to receive care. The Family would like to thank Melita and Nelissa for their care and dedication, as well as the staff of the Simkin Centre, especially on Weinberg 2.
We cannot put into words how much she will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Joseph Freiden Scholarship for Jewish Studies at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
A service was held July 4, 2025, at Chesed Shel Emes – Winnipeg.
Obituaries
SUSAN DIANA FRANKEL
In the kitchen above her to-do list, Susan Diana Frankel kept a comic strip of a mother bird encouraging her baby to take its first leap into flight. “Go for it!” reads the speech bubble above the mother bird. But a second bubble shows her thinking silently to herself: Just don’t go too far.
I’ve always thought that image perfectly captured our mom. She was our biggest cheerleader and greatest supporter – and out of sheer love, she wanted to spend as much time with her family as possible: Matthew and Elly, Robby and Rae, Jed and Eugenia, and our devoted dad, Harvey, her partner of 45 years. In addition to being a loving mother and spouse, she was a perfect grandmother – or “Boba” – to her three granddaughters: Romi, Esti, and Aria, whom she loved obsessively. Our mom passed away at home on June 4. She was our best friend, and to say we are devastated or that we will miss her greatly feels wholly inadequate.
Predeceased by her parents Max and Esther Weinstein and her older brother Joel (Cathie), she will forever be loved and remembered by her brothers Sidney (Grace) and Barry (Sharon), her sister Ronni (Michael), her confidante Edie (Marcel), as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and very close friends.
Susan was born the youngest of five children on February 8, 1958, in Winnipeg. The Weinstein family lived in Melville, Saskatchewan, until 1963 before settling in Winnipeg for good. She spent summers in Gimli and at BB Camp, attended both Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba (as well as spending a semester at the University of Miami while visiting her parents at their winter condo in Florida – Go Hurricanes!).
My mom married our dad, Harvey, in 1981. They were a shining example of a loving partnership – completely devoted to each other in sickness and in health. They raised us three boys to be close and family-oriented. It feels strange to reduce some of my mom’s favourite places and memories to a list, but that list would include: the family cottage in Gimli, traveling to Palm Springs, Florida, Toronto, Hawaii, Italy, and Las Vegas, shopping and dining with friends and family, playing Mahj, chatting about movies and shows, dragging my dad to social outings and making him change his outfit before they left the house, watching Winnipeg Jets games, and constantly rewatching videos of her granddaughters.
Our mom had a way of making people she’d just met feel like part of her inner circle. She was genuinely interested in what you were doing, how it was going, and how she could help. She asked questions (sometimes a few too many!) because she cared – never because she was nosy. She had a wonderful sense of humour and truly loved to laugh. When something was really funny, you’d sometimes get a snort and even a tear or two. She was simply the best.
Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received during this extremely difficult time. A special thank-you to the healthcare workers who gave our mom such a remarkable quality of life despite living with stage 4 cancer for more than seven years: Dr. Marshall Pitz, all the nurses and staff at CancerCare, her homecare worker Lisa, and our family’s incredible friend and caregiver, Gemma Marciano.