Obituaries
WILLIAM CHAIKEN
William (“Bill”) Chaiken, one of the last of the first-generation abstract expressionists, died on November 13, 2021, at the age of 100. Bill was a prolific artist known for his abstract figurative paintings and admired for his improvisatory style, technical mastery, and emotional depth.
Bill was born in Russia in 1921 and emigrated with his family to Winnipeg in 1926 to escape the pogroms. His father, Zalman Chaiken, came to be celebrated in the community as a Yiddish poet (https://ia802704.us.archive.org/20/items/nybc204675/nybc204675.pdf).
Entering grade school at the age of five, unable to speak English, Bill charmed his classmates with his drawings, confirming his early devotion to art.
From 1937 to 1940 Bill attended the Winnipeg School of Art, where he studied under George Overton of the British Royal Academy and L.L. Fitzgerald.
From 1941 to 1945, he served in the Canadian army.
After the war, Bill moved to New York City and attended the Art Students League under the Veteran’s Rehabilitation Act, studying with Morris Kantor and Vaclav Vytlacil. He associated with the abstract artists of the New York School. In time, he found that he was not satisfied with pure abstraction, feeling that it lacked “empathy,” and he began to incorporate figures and landscapes into his paintings.His work quickly gained recognition and was displayed in many exhibitions, including six Whitney annual shows (1949 -1956).
In 1959, Bill became a member of United Scenic Artists, a union of freelance designers and painters for theater, film, and television. He painted sets for the Metropolitan Opera, The New York City Ballet, The New York City Opera, The American Ballet Theater, Radio City Music Hall, and Disneyland, as well as for television and Broadway plays and musicals. He also painted the sets and artwork for feature films under the directors Sidney Lumet, John Huston, Martin Scorcese, Woody Allen, John Schlesinger, Bob Fosse, Francis Ford Coppola, and many others. Bill claimed that his work as a scenic artist warmed him up for his own painting, which continued unabated. Some of the dramatic effects of the stage found their way into his paintings, as did early memories of Russia and visions of the wide-open skies over Winnipeg.
In 2009 Bill was devastated by the loss of his beloved wife Elke (née Neuhaus). He feared that he would never be able to paint again, but after a period of illness he returned to his studio, located at his home in the Ramapo Mountains in Hillburn, New York.
Bill continued painting in his own home beyond the age of 100. Two months before his 101th birthday, after moving to an assisted living facility, he took to his bed and died peacefully within a week.
Bill retained his connection with Winnipeg, visiting frequently while his parents were alive. Between visits, his mother kept him supplied with packages of smoked goldeyes.
Bill’s paintings are represented in the Whitney Museum of American Art and in private collections worldwide.
He is survived by his daughters, Ilya Chaiken and MarthaLeah Chaiken, and his granddaughter Zora Sicher.
A sampling of his paintings can be seen, and the family contacted, on his website: https://www.williamchaiken.com/
Obituaries
MAY TADMAN TALLMAN (nee MINDESS)
On June 10, 2024, the world lost a loving mother, grandmother and friend when May Tadman Tallman peacefully passed away at her home in her sleep, three days shy of her 100th birthday. In her final days May was surrounded by family members, Michael, Candis, Julia and Joshimar Tadman, Rebecca (Rebbie) and Alan Schacter and Bob and Cathy Tallman.
May was born on June 13, 1924, and grew up in the North End of Winnipeg. Her life changed when she attended a dance at Winnipeg Beach and a young man, Alexander B. Tadman (Alex), came up to her and asked if she would be his steady. On April 7, 1944, she and Alex (who later became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants) were married. They raised two children, Michael and Roberta, and spent 51 very happy years together. During that time May did volunteer work with the Girl Guides of Canada, volunteered at various Winnipeg hospitals, was active in the bridge community and became president of the Chartered Accountants’ Wives Club of Manitoba. Alex died in 1995 while he and May were wintering in Palm Springs. May subsequently married a kind and loving gentleman, Daniel (Danny) Tallman in 1999. May was lovingly welcomed into the Tallman family and she and Danny spent 13 wonderful years together until his passing in 2012.
May enjoyed socializing at the Glendale Golf Club; she loved travelling and spent many of those long, cold Winnipeg winters in Palm Springs with Alex and then Florida with Danny. She travelled to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Caymen Islands and enjoyed various cruises with her family. May was an avid bridge player and throughout the years belonged to many bridge groups and stopped playing only when prevented by her failing eyes and arthritic hands. She enjoyed shopping, entertaining and spending time with family and friends. May planned her meals like a chess master, always several meals ahead.
May was devoted to her family; nothing was more important to her. Their well-being and happiness came first and foremost to her.
May very much looked forward to and enjoyed family gatherings with her niece Rebbie (Alan) Schacter and their children and great-grandchildren. May always appreciated the welcoming and love the Schacter family extended to her. May also looked forward to and always enjoyed her lunch dates with her nephew Marty Tadman.
May retained her sense of humour, quick wit, warmth, charm and memory right to the end. Despite her physical pain and limitations, she didn’t complain and considered herself fortunate to be able to live in her own home and have the care that she received from Marian, Clem and Cora.
May was predeceased by her parents, Morris and Rebecca Mindess; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Mary Mindess and Harry and Diana Mindess; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack and Sooky Tadman and Bill and Anne Tadman; brothers-in-law, Harvey Tallman and Erwin Tallman; husbands, Alexander Tadman and Danny Tallman; daughter Roberta Chochinov and son Martin Tallman.
May is survived by her son Michael (Candis) Tadman, Gloria Tallman (whom May considered a daughter), son-in-law Ronald Chochinov, grandchildren, Julia (Joshimar) Tadman, Jennifer Chochinov, Carrie (Andy) Sundberg, Krissy Goodhand and Alexander Tallman. May leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Alexander and Bailey Sundberg and Morgan Tallman.
May was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Obituaries
MATTHEW GLASS
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Glass, a beloved husband, father, grandfather (Zaida), and community pillar on Friday June 28, 2024. Matthew passed away at the age of 92, having lived a long and wonderful life alongside his devoted wife, Dianne. This August, they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a testament to their enduring love and commitment.
Matthew was born in 1932 in Winnipeg to immigrant parents, and he was the third of four sons and grew up in an entrepreneurial household where his parents owned a corner grocery store in the North End of Winnipeg. Matthew was the only one of his siblings to pursue higher education, earning a professional degree in pharmacy. At the age of 18, he began an apprenticeship as a pharmacist and shortly after entered the faculty, graduating in 1954. This marked the beginning of a long and esteemed career as a community pharmacist.
Once he purchased his first pharmacy, Talbot Pharmacy in 1962, located at the corner of Talbot and Grey, and got married, Matthew began his long career serving generations of families in the community. He and Dianne spent the first ten years of their marriage without children, working hard at the pharmacy while traveling the world and sharing his love for the game of golf. In 1980 Matthew had the opportunity to open a second pharmacy in the same community, Munroe Pharmacy, located at the corner of Munroe and London. Later he would amalgamate both pharmacies at the one location. Matthew worked long hours and loved his profession, dedicating almost 60 years to pharmacy, with 50 of those years as a pharmacy owner in the Elmwood/East Kildonan community. He was deeply respected for his expertise, empathy, and respect.
As a pharmacist and pharmacy owner, Matthew had the privilege of not only managing people’s health and medication but also acting as their advocate, in many aspects of their life. He truly cared for his clients and their families, with generations seeking his services and guidance. Even though he retired over 10 years ago, he remained a cherished figure in the community, with many still asking about him and sharing kind words. At work he led by example with his strong work ethic, compassion and heart. He created a legacy at the pharmacy, one that his daughter Michelle, who followed in his footsteps, continues to uphold with pride.
Matthew was a role model and mentor for his family. He excelled in many activities, from winning bowling championships to curling and playing golf. He was very active throughout his life, achieving a hole-in-one in his 70s—a modest yet proud accomplishment. He supported the Arts with his wife with season tickets to the RWB, MTC, and Virtuosi to name a few.
Despite his busy career, Matthew made time for his family, especially as a Zaida to his three grandchildren, Miri, Gabi and Saully. Matthew was predeceased by his parents Fanny and Joseph Glass, siblings Ervin, David and Alfred Glass, son Frederick Glass.
Matthew is remembered as a kind, gentle, and generous man by all who knew him. He lived a full life, achieving everything he wanted to while being surrounded by his loving wife Dianne, daughter Michelle (Roni Estein) and his entire family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and community service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice, in memory of Matthew Glass.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday July 2, 2024 at Chesed Shelemes and may be viewed at chesedshelemes.org
May his memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
Unveiling for Jerry Silbert
The family of the late Jerry Allan Silbert wishes to inform their relatives and friends of the unveiling of a headstone dedicated to his loving memory on: Sunday, July 14, 2024, 11:00am at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park 2795 Main St. Winnipeg, MB
Meal of Condolence to follow at the Congregation Etz Chaim, 1155 Wilkes Avenue Winnipeg, MB
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