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MAY 31, 1930 – MAY 13, 2026

Basia Bayla Fliegel passed away unexpectedly on May 13, 2026 at 95 years of age, just 18 days before her 96th birthday. She was born in Kalisz Poland, an only child. She remembers having fun, dancing and helping her parents. Life was happy and normal until 1939.
She, my grandmother and grandfather were on the run for about 3 months crossing in and out of Russia and Poland. During this time, her father was taken by the Germans to a work camp and never seen again. Basia froze her hands and feet badly during their final crossing into Russia, and she and her mother spent three months in hospital healing. Basia and her mother spent the rest of the war in work camps in Siberia and Uzbekistan. Conditions were harsh. They worked logging, picking cotton and fruit and Basia suffered from typhus, malaria and hunger.
When the war ended they returned to Poland but there was nothing there for them. Polish people had occupied their apartment and with no documents and no rights they left. They went to a displaced persons camp in Rosenheim, Germany. Basia’s mother remarried and set up a small kiosk selling beer and apples.
Our mother worked part time at the kiosk and learnt dress making at an ORT school. It was at the kiosk where she first met my father, Lazar, who liked the ‘apples’ in her rosy cheeks.
In 1948, Basia went to Haifa and lived with her Baba and Zaida. She worked in a dress shop on Herzl Street. One day while walking with friends, she bumped into Lazar and their relationship renewed. They were married on a rooftop on April 17, 1950. The heat did not agree with Lazar so along with my aunt they emigrated to Winnipeg. They arrived on a Friday and by Monday Basia was working piece work in a sewing factory. She worked until a week or so before her first child was born and then stayed at home taking care of her children. But, Basia didn’t just cook and clean. When Lazar started a family business providing cabinetry and construction services for residential homes and commercial ventures my mother worked alongside him. She answered the phone, paid bills, did banking and made sure all the paperwork was in order. She ran errands for their business and also helped in the workshop, holding plywood and lending a hand withwhatever was necessary. My parents considered themselves equal partners which was something Basia was very proud of.
And, Basia had a well-run household. Everything was organized and she was always prepared and on time. Basia valued good food and hospitality. She cooked wonderful meals, and always had cake and cookies for people dropping by. My mother’s closest friend stopped by every day after work to have coffee and cake. The two of them would visit, and simultaneously, mom would ensure dinner was ready. My grandmother dropped by almost daily and so did other friends as they knew they would be welcome. It was fun having a welcoming home and visiting with family friends.
My parents had a large circle of ‘greener’ or greenhorn friends, all of them immigrants escaping and recovering from the Shoah. They knew how to live. They worked hard and played hard. Every Saturday night there were card games at someone’s home. They served tons of food, and played poker and kaluki for money, until three or four in the morning. When it was New Year’s Eve, they dressed up in costumes, went to the synagogue dancing and celebrating until the wee hours. As teenagers their children never had curfews because the parents were always out later than them.
Basia sewed clothes for the family, knitted sweaters, hats and scarves for everyone. She loved doing big jigsaw puzzles with her children. Her hands were always busy. She loved music, particularly klezmer, and when tapes were still around had them in her car.
She was a caring and conscientious parent always making sure her children were well fed, safe, did their school work and lots of chores, had annual check-ups and a bed to sleep in. She was always there for us no matter how big or small our problems were. We knew we could call and she would help. She worked hard in her home, and in the family business. We always felt safe, loved and cared for.
Basia and Lazar started with absolutely nothing. Basia came here with virtually no education, no possessions and couldn’t speak the language. With hard work and incredible foresight, she and her husband accomplished their dreams of having a loving family and home. They always contributed to society and were never takers.
The last few years of Basia’s life were hampered by a progressing dementia and physical disability that slowly compromised her. But, her final few years didn’t define her life of success and achievement. She’ll be remembered for how much she accomplished and as the warm and devoted mother and wife she was.
Basia is survived by her children Miriam (Ron), Larry (Ann) grandchildren Sarah, Alex (Stefanie) and Danny and her greatgrandchildren Mia, Jake, Ava and James and sister-in-law Bella.
We would like to express our thanks to Helma, Herminie and Marilyn from the WRHA for their kindness and caring toward Basia. We would also like to express our thanks to the pallbearers, Barry, Bernie, Larry, Sarah, Alex and Ron.
Donations in Basia’s name can be made to the JNF, Alzheimer’s Society or charity of your choice.

APRIL 24, 1940 – MAY 30, 2026

Cecile passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026 at Deer Lodge Centre after living several years with dementia. She was 91.
She is lovingly remembered by her devoted children: Pamela (Gary Brooker), Paul (DD), Feryn, Sheri (Robbie Weisz); her grandchildren: Alana (Matthew Joudrey), Ivy, Rachel, Sarah (Roman Dascal), Lainey, Nayce and Sienna; sister-in-law Lynn Pollock and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of almost 68 years, Monte Kowall, parents Sam and Sluva
Pollock, and older siblings Myra (Hy) Kravetsky, Mischa, Gordon (Mimi) and Harvey (Sylvia) Pollock, brother-in-law and sister-inl-aw Bernard and Louise Kowall.
Cecile was born in Winnipeg but lived in Bethany, MB until she was nine. Her family then moved back to Winnipeg where she attended Machray School, St. John’s Tech and United College. She met our dad in 1954 and they married in 1956. They had a very close and loving relationship until Dad passed in 2024.
After they were married, Mom and Dad lived in Boston while Dad was doing his fellowship in pediatrics. After two years they moved back to Winnipeg and settled in River Heights. In later years Mom and Dad also lived in Winnipeg Beach and Margate, FL. Once their health started to decline they moved back to Winnipeg so they could be closer to family. During the last several years of her life Mom developed dementia and eventually could not be cared for at home.
Mom was strong, kind, caring and nurturing. She was a great wife, mother and grandmother. Family was very important to her. She was well respected and loved by all of her extended family and anyone who knew her.
She excelled at everything she did. It was said she could make “a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. She was a multitalented woman. She loved surrounding herself in nature, berry picking, sewing, baking (especially pies), volunteering and travelling. She and Dad had many friends and loved to entertain. Once the children were in school, she worked in retail sales at The Bay, Shirley K Maternity and World Adventure Tours, among others.
Mom was deeply involved in the Jewish community and was an active participant on the Herzlia Synagogue Board and PTA in its early years.
We would like to thank the staff on T3W and T3N at the Deer Lodge Centre for caring for Mom with dignity and respect over the last two years and two months.
Funeral services were held on June 7, 2026 at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Cecile’s memory may be made to the Monte and Cecile Kowall Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba or to a charity of your choice.