With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother Zelma Geri Kimelman (née Mindess) on December 19, 2019 at the St. Boniface Hospital.
Zelma was born on August 2, 1928, in Winnipeg, the youngest of four children (Ben, Anne, Ralph) of Fanny and Jacob Mindess, recent Russian Jewish immigrants. She was raised in a large, loving close-knit family and served as interpreter for her non-English speaking parents, who worked hard to make a new life in Canada.
Zel was a vivacious, bright and talented student, excelling in academics and sports, with a close circle of friends she maintained throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, majoring in organic chemistry and textile design. She loved teaching and taught for several years.
Zelma met the love of her life, Edwin Kimelman, a good friend of her older brother Ralph, and after a whirlwind courtship, they wed in August, 1949. They had a happy and successful marriage till Dad passed away in 2007.
Ed and Zel raised four children who gave them eight grandchildren: Linda (and Norman – Sarah & Jamie), Neil (and Colleen – Erin & Kyle), Bruce (and Lynne – Samantha) and Jodi (and Glenn – Joshua, Jared (and Mercedes) and Jesse). Zelma adored her eight grandchildren. Family was everything to her. Mom and Dad instilled strong family values and close family ties we maintain till this day.
Zelma was a consummate “Chatelaine”, she celebrated life and family get-togethers, with wonderful cooking and baking and lots of family and friends. She was a talented seamstress creating outfits for all her family. Fashion was important to her, and she was always beautifully dressed in attire of her own creation. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, upholster and create home furnishings. She created several lovely homes over the years.
Summers were spent at their Falcon Lake cottage, Mom and Dad built with help from their friends. She bravely defended us from the bears, who would come calling at our door.
Zelma was a talented athlete, interested in all sports, excelled in playing tennis and golf, most recently at Glendale, with trophies to attest to her prowess.
She maintained a keen interest in the arts and attended concerts, the opera, theatre and loved art shows. She was an avid reader and loved her book club. She and Dad loved to travel and took road trips (with all 4 kids in the back of the station wagon, towing a trailer), cruises and jaunts to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, and Israel.
She played bridge and maintained an amazing social life with friends and family, both in Winnipeg and winters in Palm Springs.
Zelma was devoted to the Winnipeg Jewish Community, ORT, Pioneer Women and the Sharon Home and did volunteer work for the United Way. She and Ed endowed the future of the Jewish Community through a bequest to The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Most of all Mom loved her family and friends. Rest in Peace Mom.
Our thanks to the compassionate staff at the St. Boniface Hospital.
If friends so desire, donations in Mom’s name can be made to the Jewish Endowment Foundation at 123 Doncaster.
