Obituaries
YETTA LEVIT
With heavy hearts and much love, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Yetta Levit, at the age of 96.
Mom was born on May 6, 1928, into a close-knit orthodox family with three sisters and two brothers. She attended William Whyte School, Talmud Torah night school and St. John’s Tech. During her youth she was involved in Young Judea and was later active in the I.L. Peretz School. She met our dad Jack when she was 18 and they married four years later. They had three children.
Mom had a gift for seeing the good in everybody. Her welcoming smile and the way she truly listened made everyone feel special. She lit up the room with her warm, vivacious personality.
She was young at heart and had an incredible zest for life. Her energy was remarkable. Everything was a new adventure that she couldn’t wait to undertake. Every person was a rich encounter.
Mom had a special love for little children. She effortlessly engaged with them and always made them smile and feel special. Her appreciation for beauty extended to everything in nature. She never missed an opportunity to admire colourful flowers or marvel at a Banyan tree in Hawaii. She taught us to slow down and see the world through her eyes, always pointing out the beauty that surrounded us.
As our family record keeper, she lovingly recorded every detail of our lives. She was unbelievably organized. Once when we asked to find an invoice from her wedding five decades earlier, she located it within minutes.
Theatre and music were a big part of her life. She had season’s tickets to the opera, to MTC, to the ballet and to the symphony. In later years, when illness slowly diminished her mobility and spontaneity, her strength of character and good, calm nature remained. Music comforted her and she attended the Stay Young Club and Gwen Secter.
Mom built a close-knit Jewish home full of Yiddishkeit and Zedakah – her focus always being on keeping the family close. Friday night dinners were very special with all the children and grandchildren gathered around, lighting the shabbat candles. Mom especially enjoyed sharing shabbat and holiday dinners with her siblings. It gave her such pleasure being the hostess at these simchas – she just sparkled!
Mom was a very devoted and loving daughter to her parents, Tybel and Beryl. Her dedication to them as unparallelled, which she demonstrated by caring for them with compassion, patience and unwavering commitment. She also treated our dad’s parents, Velodie and Molly, as her own.
Mom and dad spent 64 wonderful years together until his passing in 2014. She was always there to support Dad’s many creative business endeavours. Her wise counsel helped make everything easier. The saying “behind every great man is a great woman” couldn’t be more true.
Travel was an enjoyable and important part of her life. She loved our family trips where she was excited to expose us to different cultures, different geography and different experiences. She also loved travelling with her siblings and friends.
Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Jack, parents, Tybel and Beryl Minuk, sisters, Molly Lachter (Norman), Clara Zamick (Max), Evie Rosenbaum (Jack) and brothers, Harry Minuk (Annette) and Norman Minuk (Goldie); her parents-in-law. Molly and Velodie Levit and sister-in-law Eva Moser (Leo). She was the last of a very close-knit family.
She is survived by her children, Diane (Raymond), Shelley (Jaye) and Keith (Linda), her grandchildren, Brent (Anna), Tara (Jed), Darren, Hannah, Marina, Vanessa and Natasha and her great-grandchildren, Micah and Ivy and many nieces and nephews.
We are extremely grateful for the kindness and gentleness shown by mom’s wonderful caregivers, many of whom have felt like extended family to us. They are Marga Torres, Terry Cristobal, Nancy Bilibli, Lorenza del Rosario, Sally Magana, Fe Yap, Cathy Tan, Ginah Guaro and Evelyn Dela Cruz.
We also extend special thanks to Dr. Fotti and family friend Dr. Manishen for their genuine compassion and concern.
Pallbearers were Raymond Hall, Darren Hall, Brent Calnitsky, Jaye Miles, Sheldon MInuk and Mark Golub.
Mom lived her life as a beacon of selflessness. Her heart had room for everyone.
Mom, you gave us so much. You taught us to love deeply, to cherish family and family traditions, and to find joy in the simplest things.
You are loved beyond measure. You will be missed. You will be remembered.
Obituaries
AGNES FUNK (nee POLLAK) August 12, 1927 – February 18, 2026
Agnes (Anyu) peacefully passed away at the age of 98. Predeceased by her husband Fred and son George, she is survived by her daughter Kathy Shefrin, grandsons, Mark Shefrin (Laurie) and Allan Shefrin (Stephanie) and her great-grandchildren, Abby, Seth, Livia and Frankie.
Born and raised in Hungary, Agnes – known to many as Agi – was a survivor. During the Second World War, her parents made the difficult choice to hide her with righteous neighbours, thus saving her life during the Holocaust. In post war Budapest, she met the love of her life Fred. Their new life took an abrupt turn when communism took over Hungary. In 1956, with nothing, Fred, Agi, Kathy and George moved to Winnipeg to join family.
Initially, life in Winnipeg was not easy, but they found safety, community and opportunity. Their greatest joy was time spent with their children and grandchildren. They loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. Agi had a dry sense of humour infused with a Hungarian accent and mixed up words that made everyone around her laugh. Though she was quiet, her big blue eyes and infectious smile could fill a room.
In 2007, her beloved Fred died, followed by her adored son George in 2016. Both times her resiliency and strength saw her though, and those qualities served her well again when she rebounded from a life-threatening infection while visiting her family in Ottawa.
Agi experienced life’s greatest joys as her four great-grandchildren arrived. She treasured them, as they did her.
The family expresses their utmost thanks to Agi’s devoted companion, Robin Davis for her love and care for Agi over the last four years. Special thanks to the Weinberg 3 team at the Simkin Centre.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred and Agnes Funk Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or the charity of your choice to honour her remarkable life.
Obituaries
LOUIS CHOCHINOV
It is with profound sorrow that we share with you the passing of Louis (Label) Chochinov. On September 12, 2025, just 3 days past his 98th birthday, Lou passed with family by his side. He will be forever cherished by his children Bruce and Sheila (Toronto), Aydel (Adrian) and Laurence (Saskatoon), his loving grandchildren Allen-Vikram (Audrey), Kiran (Morgana), Lexi (Sean), and Gabi. He also leaves to mourn many nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. Lou was predeceased by parents Jacob and Tauba, his seven siblings, and the love of his life of over 60 years Gertie (2012).
Born in 1927, the youngest of 8 children, Lou grew up on his family’s dairy farm. Lou attended Centennial High School where he enjoyed running track as well as theatre. In 1947 Lou won the Provincial Track Meet and in the same year had the starring role in his school’s production of the Mikado.
Lou was an important figure in his community, running a number of businesses including North End Service, Minit Car Wash, and Western Messenger. He was an avid bridge and cribbage player and was a fixture playing every Tuesday at the Gwen Secter. He had a true passion for gardening and made a real impact playing baseball in the 65+ weekly league at Kildonan Park. In recent years he could also be found every Friday enjoying lunch and the company of close friends at Boston Pizza. Most of all he will be remembered as a most kind, honest, and generous person whose positive attitude warmed the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Funeral services were held September 15, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue with burial at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bruce Chochinov, Laurence Givelichian, Allen-Vikram Chochinov, Kiran Chochinov, Gabi Givelichian, and Sean Kelly. Honorary Pallbearers were Harvey Zabenskie, Ben Friedman, and Jeff Greggain.
The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to all of the people who supported Dad (Zaza/Zaida) including many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you to Lori and the wonderful staff at River Ridge Residence where Dad resided prior to his passing. The family also thanks all of Dad’s amazing neighbours who repaid his kindness and generosity with unending support and help ease his final years.
Dad will be deeply missed and
forever in our hearts.
Obituaries
LILLIAN R. MOSTOW (NEE HALPARIN) AUGUST 31, 1926 – JANUARY 18, 2026
Our beloved matriarch, Lillian Mostow, passed away peacefully at 99 years of age at the Simkin Centre, where she had received exemplary care for more than six years.
Lillian was quite the character. She said what she meant, without filters; she was strong, opinionated, and fiercely protective of those she loved. You always knew exactly where you stood with her.
The youngest of five, Lillian grew up on Dufferin Ave. in north-end Winnipeg, next door to her father’s sweater factory, Standard Knitting. Clever and artistic, she studied interior design at the University of Manitoba before marrying Harold Mostow in 1947. They had a wonderful life together. They loved to throw parties for their family and friends at their home on Brock St. and Lillian’s Sunday pancake brunch was a cherished tradition. To escape Winnipeg’s brutal winters, they vacationed first in Mexico and later in Maui, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary as a joint simcha with the marriage of her daughter, Morri Mostow, to Douglas Long. After their children left home, Lillian accompanied Harold on his business trips to Asia, where she bought beads and semi-precious stones for the necklaces she designed for her home-based business, My Place. In 2005, two years after being widowed, she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Gabriola Island, BC, where they happily shared a home for 14 years. Despite being a city girl all her life, she adapted seamlessly to country living. She soon had bridge partners and friends and began volunteering. Fiercely independent, she drove around the island in her red PT Cruiser, going to the library, attending events and taking the ferry to Nanaimo’s aquatic centre to swim a few times a week.
In 2019, failing mobility and cognition necessitated a move back to Winnipeg, to the Simkin Centre, where she spent her final years. At 99, she was still going to concerts, synagogue services and exercise classes.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents, Moses/Moishe and Clara/Chaika Halparin, her siblings, William/Bill Halparin, Norman Halparin, Archie Halparin and Freda Fox, and by Harold Mostow, her husband of 56 years. She is mourned by her children, Morri Mostow (Douglas Long), Michael Mostow and Sydney Mostow; by her grandchildren, Cassandre Aras, Clotilde Aras (Nicolas Gautier), Kyle Mostow (Rachel Minuk) and Mauro Mostow Palmer; by her great-grandchildren, Emily Mostow, Léonard, Céleste and Lilas Gauthier; by her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and by all those whose lives she touched.
Grateful thanks to the extraordinary staff at the Simkin Centre who took such good care of Lillian. Also to Rabbi Carnie Rose, who officiated her funeral with great warmth and compassion at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on January 22, 2026.
Eulogies and more about Lillian’s life can be found on morrimostow.com. Donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.