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
HARRY KREEL April 9, 1927 – October 20, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Harry Kreel announces his passing on October 20, 2025 at the age of 98 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ben and Rebecca Kreel; his brothers, Isadore and Boris Kreel; and his beloved wife Myrna, to whom he was married for 68 years.
Left to mourn his passing are his daughter Eileen; his son Darrell (Nicole); and his grandson Benjamin Kreel.
Harry was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in his early 20s. He spent his career in education. He was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division, Principal of R.B. Russell Vocational School and he also taught in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.
Our parents loved to travel, and throughout their lives they travelled extensively throughout Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Upon his retirement, he and our mother were able to spend many wonderful winters in Palm Springs, as well as many visits to New York to visit family. The highlight for them was their trip to Israel, which was something they had always wanted to do, and they did.
Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, graveside at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to Rabbi Carney Rose for officiating and for delivering a most beautiful and heartfelt service.
To the pallbearers, you know who you are, and we would like to thank you for being there for our father. We would also, at this time, like to thank the wonderful staff of Weinberg I at the Simkin Centre. You treated our father with the utmost kindness, respect, dignity and compassion, and for that we will be forever grateful. And last but certainly not least, to Sheryl, Tia, and Victoria Levine, to Leslie Stokoloff and Joe Lacey, we will be forever grateful for all your love and support during this most difficult time.
Should anyone so desire, donations may be made in our father’s memory to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre or CancerCare Manitoba.
Obituaries
ROSALYN GOLFMAN (née LINHART)
Rosalyn Golfman (née Linhart) passed away peacefully on November 9, 2025, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.
Born and raised in Winnipeg to Jack and Clara Linhart, Roz and her brother Sam grew up with a deep appreciation for education, music, and community. Her father, along with her mother who was an accomplished singer and performer in Jewish plays and on radio, instilled in her a deep appreciation for both hard work and family traditions. The tragedy of the Holocaust, which claimed the majority of her mother’s immediate family, profoundly shaped Rosalyn’s outlook on life, nurturing in her a strong sense of identity, resilience, and commitment to her Jewish heritage.
Growing up in a home filled with music, the aromas of traditional cooking, and the warmth of family celebrations, Roz developed a lifelong connection to her roots. Her devotion to the Jewish community continued throughout her life as she volunteered and chaired various programs at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and served as a member of the National Council of Jewish Women.
Education was one of Rosalyn’s greatest passions. She earned her B.A., M.Ed., a Ph.D. in Psychology, and a Masters in Family Therapy. As a clinical psychologist, Roz worked for 43 years dedicating her career to helping others. Rosalyn also served as President of the Manitoba Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and Chair of its Ethics Committee and taught at various times at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, and at Red River Community College.
Rosalyn’s greatest devotion was to her husband of more than 60 years, Charles (Chuck) Golfman. Together they traveled the globe and shared a lifetime of love and adventure. Their mutual curiosity led them to explore new places, lectures and forums, always seeking to expand their understanding of people and the world around them. Roz and Chuck raised three children – Jeff (Helen Huang), Lisa (Steve Kroft) and Jill (Mark Kantor). Her grandchildren – Angela, Nathan, Alex and Maya – were her greatest joy, and she cherished every moment spent with them, whether during family dinners, at her beloved Clearwater Bay, or on family trips. Rosalyn’s brother Sam (Judy) was a constant source of support, and the times Roz and Chuck spent with Sam and Judy in Phoenix and Aspen were always highlights for her. Family events with nieces, nephews, her numerous cousins and other relatives were also very special for Roz.
Rosalyn will be remembered for her compassion, intellect and unwavering devotion to family, her friends, and her Jewish faith. The values she instilled in her family will endure through them.
The family wishes to thank the many friends who supported Roz with gentleness, dignity and love. Thank you also to Dr. Marshall Pitz, Kim Paradoski and the caring and talented doctors and caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba and Grace Hospital who assisted Rosalyn and our family during this difficult journey.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rosalyn and Chuck Golfman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
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.