Obituaries
TOBY GUTWILIK
With deep sadness we announce the passing of Toby Gutwilik on April 8th, 2021 at the age of 93.
She is survived by her children Jack (Shari), Hersh (Francine) and Fay-Lynn (Martin), grand-children, Micha (John), Matthew (Desiree), Cara (David), Jonathan (Rachel), Jacqui and Sabrina and great-grandchildren Malachi, Miles and Lyla.
She will also be missed by her nieces, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her grandparents, parents and brothers who perished in the Holocaust, by her husband Mayer and by her son-in-law Phil.
Toby was born in Czechoslovakia and had a happy childhood, loving parents, two brothers and grandparents. She was separated from her family in 1944 and sent to three concentration camps, Auschwitz, then Hamburg and finally Bergen-Belsen from where she was liberated by the Swedish Red Cross at the end of the war in May, 1945. At age 18, she was the only member of her immediate family to survive the Holocaust. After the war, she was brought to Canada by her uncle who was living in Saskatchewan. There she met her husband Mayer who was also brought over to Canada after the war. They married in 1950 and started a family immediately. With baby Jack in tow, they moved to Winnipeg and had two more children, Hersh and Fay-Lynn. They made a new life in Winnipeg and made many close friends who became their family. Toby was very involved with a women’s group of Holocaust survivors.
Toby was a woman of many talents. She was a remarkable cook and baker. Cooking for Shabbat and the Jewish holidays was her pleasure and she made sure to always cook each person’s favourites. She was well known for the best gefilte fish, matzah balls, blintzes, knishes, kreplach, perogies, cabbage rolls, sweet kugel, bubka, latkes and hamantashen.
Kindness and generosity came naturally to Toby. There was always a place at her table for anyone who did not have somewhere to spend the holidays. Her home was open to all. A natural social worker, without a degree, Toby helped many people with a variety of problems ranging from loneliness, poverty or domestic violence.
Toby had a tremendous work ethic. She ran two grocery stores and then worked at the Sharon Home as a dietary aide. Her hard work was motivated by being able to provide her children with as many opportunities as possible and most of all, a Jewish education. Toby did everything with a love of her Jewish heritage. She kept a kosher home and loved hosting Shabbat and holiday dinners and continued to do so until recently.
Family was Toby’s priority. This included extended family and making her home their home. Toby was a devoted grandmother. There was nothing she would not and did not do for any of her grandchildren, including travelling to Toronto, New York or New Jersey to help with new babies, or spending several days a week helping with her triplet grandchildren. She attended all school events and concerts. Nothing gave her more happiness than her grandchildren. She was thrilled to be able to attend all bar and bat mitzvahs and thrilled to dance at each of the triplet’s weddings. She was overjoyed by the birth of each of her three great-grandchildren and thrilled to be involved in their lives in any way she could, which included cooking homemade baby food. She was excited to know a fourth great- grandchild was on the way.
Toby was devoted to her husband Mayer. When he suffered a stroke at age 80, she was determined to make sure he was well cared for in their own home. She focused all her energy on his care and, with the help of dedicated home care workers, was able to care for him at home until the last two weeks of his life. After he passed away in 2014, and her health problems began she decided to focus on her own health to ensure she lived as long as she could. Daily, she walked the track at the Rady Centre, until she was no longer able to. She was proud to manage her blood sugars, weight and cardiac stability. She was the model patient for her family doctors and many specialists she needed over the last decade.
Toby’s smile and loving, caring, nature will be forever remembered and sadly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Toby’s family doctor, Dr. Permack, and to Toby’s team of amazing caregivers, Imelda, Irene, Fiknete, Sathy and Gisele, along with all other doctors and home care workers who have crossed paths with Toby and her husband over the last decade. All of these people greatly enhanced the quality of Toby’s life as she battled many illnesses. The family would also like to thank all extended family and friends who have supported them during this difficult time.
Graveside funeral service was officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl on April 11th, 2021 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were: grandchildren Matthew and Desiree, Cara and David, Jonathan and family friend Gary Levine. Memorial donations may be made to the Toby and Mayer Holocaust Education Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, to the Rady Jewish Community Centre, to the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, or to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
CHERYL SAPER
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Cheryl Zina Saper, a beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished member of the Winnipeg community. Cheryl passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on June 2, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Cheryl was born on February 18, 1954, in Winnipeg to her loving parents, Jack and Betty Saper.
Cheryl is survived by her three devoted sons, Daniel (Nena), Steven (Maryam), and Abram (Maddie), and her precious grandchildren, Jacob, Maya, Lyla, and Adam, who were the light of her life. Her unwavering love and support for her family will be deeply missed.
A woman of great intellect and warmth, Cheryl had a passion for reading and cherished her time spent chatting with friends. Her ability to learn your life story in a phone call was one of her greatest talents. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to build a successful business from the ground up, providing a comfortable life for herself and her sons. She was not only a successful businesswoman but also a constant presence in her children’s lives, particularly in their sporting activities. Cheryl loved to travel, and when on vacation could often be found poolside with a book in hand or making connections with the locals.
Cheryl had a deep love for dogs, and there was always one in the house, bringing joy and companionship to her and her family. She would often include the dog in the list of names when calling for her children, Daniel, Steven, Abram, Dawson!
Cheryl was an active member of the Jewish community in Winnipeg, contributing her time and energy to various community activities and events. Her dedication and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Cheryl was laid to rest at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
ARIEL GLINTER
Ariel Glinter, beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, and friend, died in Winnipeg on June 11, 2024. He was 36 years old. Ariel was born in Winnipeg, MB, where he attended the Talmud Torah I. L. Peretz Folk School, the Gray Academy of Jewish Education, and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and from the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba with a Juris Doctor degree. In law school he received numerous awards for academic excellence, including Dean’s Honour List in 2010 – 2011 and 2011 – 2012. After practicing law for three years at Aikins, MacAulay & Thorvaldson LLP, Ariel joined Maqabim Distributors as director of business development and regulatory compliance. In his role at Maqabim he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues throughout the industry for his knowledge, passion, acumen, and good humour. Ariel was a generous, kind, passionate, and insightful person who had a profound impact on those who knew him. He is survived by his parents, Nancy and Harry; his siblings, Ruthie (Daniel), Ezra, Hannah (Koby), and Leah; and by many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be mourned and missed by his family and by the many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched.
Obituaries
SHEILA ESTELLE LINDER May 27, 1934 – June 14, 2024
The family of Sheila Linder announces her passing after a long life well lived. Sheila was the beloved wife of Elvin (Al), cherished mother to Faith (Hart) Kaplan, Nadine Linder and Marshall Linder, adored Baba to Adam (Michaela) Kaplan, Yael Kaplan, Hadera Short, and Jeremy (CC) Short. She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Rita Shapera Jacob and Gerald (Pauline) Silverman, 38 nieces and nephews, six cousins and many dear friends.
Sheila grew up in Winnipeg’s north end as the middle child of Dolly Rossen and Isadore Silverman, surrounded by three generations of the extended Silverman, Levitan and Rossen families, whose stories of mischief and daring, poverty and prosperity, sorrow and joy were shared with her children to reinforce the importance of family.
Al met Sheila at a dance when she was 17, confided to a friend that she was the girl he would marry, and began courting her. They were married on December 26, 1953. Sheila enjoyed her career as a Kelly Girl office temp and Al joined his father-in-law at Western Scrap Metals.
Sheila and Al created a wonderful life during their 72 years together. As a young married woman, she played Mahjong, bowled in a 10-pin league, and volunteered with women’s service groups including Hadassah WIZO and Pioneer Women. When she and Al were ready to start a family, they adopted three children into a home filled with love and Jewish values.
She learned to speak Yiddish growing up and took Hebrew lessons as an adult to help her children with their homework. Her volunteerism expanded to included school PTAs and the Manitoba Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. When a newly formed couples’ group was created in the ’70s, Sheila became involved in its programming and was co-chair for a period of time. Sheila and Al recently attended a Yachad program, still going strong after 50 years, where they were proudly among the oldest members.
Sheila and Al travelled to Israel, Europe, Mexico, Jamaica and enjoyed family trips to Detroit Lakes, Miami Beach, Disney Land, and Disney World. In their later years they wintered in Palm Springs and Florida.
Sheila loved people and their life stories. She was an avid reader, and encouraged her children’s reading by filling the family home with books, comics, and magazine subscriptions, including the complete World Book encyclopedia. Her standard response to any question: “Look it up”. She was always well informed and ready to discuss current affairs.
She enjoyed shopping, and every life-cycle event was celebrated with a card, a gift, and often, a new outfit. The Linder home was filled with beautiful furniture, paintings, fabrics, and collectibles. A consummate hostess, her parties were always tailored to the occasion with special foods and serving pieces reserved for that particular event. Her daily essentials included flowers and plants, classic films, autobiographies and novels, the newspaper and TV news, crossword puzzles, bread, sweets, and her iPad.
Sheila Linder was a generous soul whose love for family and friends was boundless. She and Al lived independently in their condo with devoted assistance provided by her dear friend Maria. The family is indebted to the medical professionals who provided care over the years.
Sheila attended summer camp when she was 15 and it changed her life. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sunshine Fund for Campers or a charity of your choice.