Obituaries
WENDY DURNO LYONS, (KOLBA)
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Wendy Durno Lyons on Tuesday, December 12TH, 2023 at St. Boniface Hospital.
Wendy was predeceased by her parents; Mike and Elsie Kolba, sister; Kim Kolba, nephew; Shawn Kolba and her in-laws; Joe and Sadie Lyons. Mourning her loss are her husband, Norman after 41 plus years of marriage, her beloved children Zasha and Randy whom she loved with all her heart, and grandchildren; Carmen and Iliana whom she adored with her whole being. Sisters; Donna and Foster Daniels, Bev and Andy Shalagan, Janice and Guy Sicotte, Michele and Gary Cook, Mona and Don Gross, Enid Lyons and Vic Wonnacott as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and one great, great nephew.
Wendy was born on August 6TH, 1951 and lived a life filled with love, happiness and an abundance of cheekiness, laughter, wittiness. From her late teens until her retirement, Wendy worked hard and was always there to extend a hand to those who called on her for help. Wendy absolutely adored her husband Norman whom she wed on August 19TH, 1982. Wendy doted on her nieces and nephews whom she loved and adored. Wendy was the matriarch of the family, she had an open-door policy to family and friends who wished to come and visit and was the epitome of grace, humility, and kindness, she was loved by all those who knew her. Wendy was a fabulous woman who loved fashion, new hair trends, and anything that sparkled.
Wendy was a “jack of all trades,” she could fix whatever needed to be fixed. Wendy was a phenomenal cook and baker, forever trying new recipes and baking with her granddaughters. She always ensured everyone was well fed. Wendy operated the restaurant at The Grain Exchange Curling Club for numerous years, all those who partook of her culinary delights raved at her magic. As part of her employment, Wendy was a Noon Meal Cook with Manitoba Housing Food Services primarily at 601 Osborne and 22 Strauss where she excelled in ensuring that her clients got nutritious meals, she always took care of everyone, she was held in high regard and her clients respected and appreciated her tremendously. All of her hard work eventually took its toll on Wendy’s health which had a profound impact on her ability to do the many things that she loved to do in the past. Norman, Randy, Zasha, Carmen, and Iliana stepped up and assisted in every way that they could to ensure she remained happy, smiling, comfortable, and still able to do what she loved.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of her doctors in charge of her primary care as well as the nurses and Home Care workers both in Osborne Village and Maples Inkster area for their tender loving care for Wendy especially over the last three years. Graveside Service with Livestreaming was held on Friday, December 15TH at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery with Rabbi Anabiel Maas conducting.
Rest in peace and please suffer no more.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.