Obituaries
VERA HERSHFIELD November 25, 1922-June 25, 2019
Vera Hershfield passed away peacefully on June 25, 2019, after a stay at the Grace Hospital following multiple health challenges experienced on May 16.
Her survivors include sons Neil and Larry (Janet), grandsons Daniel, Evan (Jennifer), Zachary, and Gabriel, and nieces Sheilah and Joanne.
Vera was predeceased by her parents Abigayla and Chaim Rosen, her brother Allan Ross, and Sam, her husband of 61 years.
Vera was born in Leningrad in 1922 and came to Canada as a young girl in 1930.
She thrived in the midst of a large and loving extended family, learning English quickly, and was an excellent student.
In her life, Vera was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as an active community volunteer in several organizations including Brandeis Chapter of Hadassah-WIZO and Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood.
In addition to being a wonderful homemaker, Vera also worked outside the home in various administrative capacities. Her happiest and most productive years were spent in collections and curation at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, where her work can be seen in the Urban Gallery and the Nonsuch display. Many happy times were spent with her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends, guiding them through the Museum.
Vera had many talents. She enjoyed oil painting, she played an excellent game of Bridge partnered with Sam and others, and she wrote many clever and funny songs and articles.
Throughout her life, Vera was very kind with never a bad word, made and kept many many friends, had a great wit, and was very pragmatic in her outlook.
Living to 96 years old, with some health bumps along the way, Vera faced her old age head on, clearly, and with humour. She often quipped that “There ought be a better system. Nothing seems to improve with age.”
Her family would like to thank the staff at Shaftesbury Park Retirement Community (particularly Jan and Brian), Home Care (particularly Theresa), Esther’s Group (particularly Odessa and Lisa), and Grace Hospital.
A graveside service was held at Rosh Pina Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, June 27, followed by a Meal of Consolation at the home of Allan and Leslee Abosh. Shiva was subsequently held in Winnipeg and Toronto.
Donations can be made to the Sam and Vera Hershfield fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
ESTHER MINUK Dec. 27, 1932 – April 3, 2026
Esther Bat Hershel Ve Devorah
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Esther Minuk, beloved matriarch of our family. She was predeceased by her bashert, her beloved husband, Julius; her parents, Doris and Harry Golub; and her sister, Evelyn (Herbie).
Esther was a loving and proud mother, Baba, and Great-Baba to her children Yale, Rhonda (Tom), Perry (Abby), Jody, and Marla (Franklin); her grandchildren Jordan (Amy), Daniel (Allie), Allie (Jordan), Hannah, and Lily; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Aidan, and Eddie.
Known to many as `Queen Esther’, she led with kindness and integrity, always seeing the good in others. Her home was open and welcoming, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. She was sharp, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. We are heartbroken and forever grateful for the love and legacy she leaves behind. She will be eternally missed by her family.
Memorial donations may be made to B’nai Brith of Canada Foundation, 416-633-6224, https://bit.ly/4bRsabI or Sunnybrook Foundation, 416-480-4483, www.sunnybrook.ca/foundation
Obituaries
MILTON FREEDMAN
It is with profound sadness and much love that I announce the passing of Milton Freedman on October 30th, 2025, three months after we celebrated his 100th birthday. Milton was predeceased by his parents, Helen and Peter, his older brother Sam, and his younger brother Sid, with whom he shared a very special relationship. He is survived by his wife Joanie, his sister Ruby Donner, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great-great nephew.
Family and friends meant everything to Milton, and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for them. He was gentle and kind, quiet and dignified, thoughtful and wise. He gave the best advice, but only if asked.
Milton and I liked to travel, and for many years spent the winter in Palm Springs. We also travelled to Europe and England, and felt most at home in London. We reminisced endlessly about the river cruises we went on, and the amazing places we had the opportunity to visit, whether it was having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the North Sea, or attending a private concert at a palace in Vienna, or tasting Black Forest cake especially prepared for us, while we were in Germany’s Black Forest region. It all was stunning, magical, delicious. But it was the people we met along the way, who made everything even more special, and we never forgot them.
Milton was an avid reader, inhaling newspapers, magazines, and books as if they were oxygen. Remarkably, he remembered much of what he read, and it wasn’t unusual for him to quote a passage from a book that he had read years earlier, if it was relevant to a conversation. It was not to show off…that wasn’t who he was.
Milton was a runner, and for years ran ten miles, three times a week. On the days he didn’t run, he walked outdoors for two and a half hours. Eventually, he gave up running, preferring to walk seven days a week no matter the season, no matter the weather. This continued until he was well into his 80’s. And even in his 90’s Milton remained determined to walk, at first using one cane, then two, then a walker. When he was asked, how he did it, Milton simply said, “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.” On occasion he might add, “And eventually you’ll get to where you’re going.”
Sage advice.
Milton is deeply missed, and will forever be remembered.
Obituaries
MARLI REBECCA SILVERMAN
Marli Rebecca Silverman passed away on March 11th at the age of 43 from end-stage renal disease. She lived her life with meaning, courage, and resilience, and touched everyone who knew her with her strength, warmth, and spirit.
She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Rylee, who was the light of her life; her father, Bruce; her brother, Matthew; Rylee’s father, Drake; and many family members and dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.
Marli will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact she made on those around her.
May her memory be a blessing.
Donations in Marli’s memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (breakthrought1d.ca).