Obituaries
ZIVAN SAPER February 10, 1951 – Dec 16, 2020
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Zivan Saper, on December 16, 2020. Zivan passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a short, but determined, battle with leukemia.
Zivan will be sorely missed by his wife of 44 years, Tannis, son Avi (Rachelle), grandchildren Hartley and Sari, brother Arthur (Marsha), brother-in-law Ian, the rest of his extended family, and countless friends from all walks of life. He was predeceased by his parents, Max and Sarah, and his sister Blumie.
Zivan grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and later in Garden City, joining his father’s insurance brokerage, Saper Agencies, soon after high school. He eventually took over the business and ran it successfully until 2016, earning the trust of hundreds of long-time clients who valued his honesty, integrity, and commitment to serving their best interests. Zivan worked hard – long hours, weekends, answering phone calls in the middle of the night when someone’s basement had flooded – but didn’t complain because he did it to help his clients.
Zivan’s commitment to serving his community extended far beyond his business. He was generous with his time and his money. He was an active volunteer with many organizations, serving as president of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and North Winnipeg Rotary Club, and on the board of the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation and Jewish National Fund to name a few. His most passionate volunteer work was in the world of curling, a sport that he was first introduced to as a kid at the Maple Leaf Curling Club. Zivan loved everything about the game, from the competition and the strategy to the countless friends he made over the years from all across the continent. He followed in his father Max’s footsteps as a president of the Manitoba Curling Association, and later served as president of the Canadian Curling Association. His final contribution to the game came in 2003 when he served as president of the World Curling Championships at the old Winnipeg Arena.
Zivan worked hard, but he also found time to enjoy life and his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father and father-in-law, and an ecstatic Zaida when his grandchildren arrived. He was a lifelong partner to Tannis, building a happy and fulfilling life together. He loved family gatherings big and small, and enjoyed spending the winter months in Scottsdale in recent years. To Avi, he was a best friend as much as he was a father. Rounds of golf, Jets and Bombers games, and trips to Green Bay to see his Packers were just some of the interests they shared. He was beaming when he welcomed Rachelle into the family, and perhaps nothing made Zivan happier than picking up Hartley or Sari and making them laugh.
His life was too short, but Zivan didn’t waste any of it. He left a mark on so many who knew him and will be dearly missed.
We wish to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at CancerCare Manitoba, as well as GD-6 at Health Sciences Centre, and the palliative care unit at Riverview Health Centre for their care and compassion during Zivan’s illness, with a special thank you to Dr. Menard.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, a private funeral service was held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on December 18. Pallbearers were David Folk, Barry Greenberg, David Herbert, Sam Segal, Stephen Segal and Warren Zimmerman. A celebration of Zivan’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to do so.
A heartfelt thank you to the many people who have shown such kindness to our family since Zivan’s passing. In lieu of flowers, donations in Zivan’s memory to a charity of your choice are greatly appreciated.
Obituaries
RITA TRITT
March 29, 1925 – February 22, 2025
Just a month before her 100th birthday, Rita passed away peacefully with family by her side. She was the last of her generation of the large Weidman family, one of the earliest Jewish families in Winnipeg. Growing up in Winnipeg, she attended the University of Manitoba and the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism from there. Rita was a very talented artist; she attended the Forum Art Institute for many, many years where she enjoyed the mentorship and camaraderie of fellow artists. She was proud of having sold several hundred pieces of her work over her time there.
Rita was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joe Tritt, in 1986. She is survived by her loving family, her children: Jacki and Sheldon Koven, Steven Tritt and Sharon Goszer Tritt; grandchildren: Lesley Koven and Eric Thomas, Mara Koven-Lapointe and Ryan Lapointe, Joseph Tritt and Shaun Castor; great-grandchildren: Ayla and Eli Thomas, and Kate Lapointe.
Funeral services were held on February 24, 2025. Rita’s family is grateful for the warm and attentive care of Sherryl and Sergio and all the staff on Weinberg 1 at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre where Rita lived for the last 3 years. If friends wish, a donation in Rita’s memory can be made to the Simkin Centre or the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
ISABELLE BOOK
It is with sadness and gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our family matriarch Isabelle Book. Izzy was born on November 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
She was predeceased by her parents Clara and Jacob Brownstein, her brother Walter, her sister Minnie Goldman, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother-in-law Noel and a fabulous group of women who shared a friendship that lasted decades.
She is survived by her 4 children, Warren and Faye Book, Marilyn and David Pressman, Jacqueline and Jory Stillwater and David and Elaine Book. She was a very proud Baba to Hilary Book, Deborah Book and Mike James, Laurie and Ginny Stillwater, Kayleigh and Barrett Ruggles, Adam Book and Gabe Bloomfield-Book and Seth Book and Amy Shore. She so enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of her great-grandchildren Hugo, Marcus, Reese, Maverick, Richie and Sullivan. She will also be greatly missed by her sister -in- law and dear friend Shirley Book.
Izzy had a great sense of humour and was often unable to get to the punchline of a joke because she was laughing so hard. She could be stubborn and strong minded. She would dig in her heels if she felt she was being pushed to make a decision she wasn’t ready to make. Izzy enjoyed time with family and friends but was also very comfortable with her own company.
Izzy knew what it meant to be a friend. She was a kind compassionate woman who cherished the people in her life and was always our biggest fan. Our mom was a quality human being who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. Izzy lived by the Golden Rule. She lived a long, healthy life but remained seriously young at heart.
There are memories to last a lifetime, ones that we will keep close as we honour her memory. We were blessed to have her for as long as we did, strong, loving and sharp until almost the end. She modeled what it meant to live a good life. She also did it on her terms.
The funeral took place on Sunday, February 9 at the B’nai Abraham Cemetery with Rabbi Kliel Rose officiating. Pallbearers were her grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the incredible staff at the Rosewood (Maple House) where she lived. She bonded with many of the wonderful people who cared and supported her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Obituaries
Naomi Lander Rosenthal February 14, 1940 – February 12, 2025
Naomi Lander Rosenthal was born in Winnipeg and passed away two days shy of her 85th birthday. She was the daughter of Drs. Jacob Joseph (Jack) Lander, a respected and beloved family practitioner in Winnipeg, and Clara (Shnay) Lander, a literary scholar and past President of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Board of Governors.
Naomi was a classically trained pianist and performed both formally and informally in many venues. She was always asked to play at any party where there was a piano. Her favorite classical piece was Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, which readers can listen to and enjoy here. Naomi was heavily influenced by the version played by the pianist Glenn Gould, which approximates how Naomi approached it. Naomi had a great appreciation for complexity in musical style and composition. Her piano repertoire extended from Bach and Brahms to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Naomi lived in Toronto from 1968-1988 and then moved back to Winnipeg in 1989 to help care for her father when he became ill. She worked in senior executive assistant roles from the 1970s through the early 1990s in insurance, government and the non-profit sectors before retiring at age 65. Her work ethic, perfectionism and sense of mission throughout her career made Naomi a beloved team member, who also fostered life-long friendships with her supervisors and even their families.
In addition to music, Naomi had many interests, including gourmet cooking, film, science fiction and fantasy, and politics. Naomi could engage anyone in any number of subjects and was particularly interested in health and medicine. Naomi will now go on to teach medical students through the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ body donation program.
Naomi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Ahava Rosenthal and Michael Shore, of Boston, MA; M. Sara Rosenthal and Kenneth Ain of Lexington, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Kayla Shore and Jacob Shore; her step-grandchildren, Maxwell Ain and Jacob Ain; her sisters, Myra Lander of San Mateo, California, and Judith Lander of Toronto; nephews Kalan Vuksanovich and Stephen Israels and many extended family members from the Lander families, Shnay families, and Rothberg families.
The family wishes to thank Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rothberg; Naomi’s wonderful caregivers at The Key, homecare assistance in Winnipeg, including Brian Boxall and Althea King; the Simkin Centre; and Elena Episcope for helping to make Naomi’s final years so much more comfortable.
A remembrance of Naomi will be held on Thursday evening, February 20th at 7 pm at 202 Lamont Blvd in Winnipeg. Donations in Naomi’s memory may be made to CancerCareManitoba or to the organization of your choice.
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