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
Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website
| Gerald Kalef | Gershon ben Yitzchak v’Chana | 24/06/1928 | 01/08/2026 | 19 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Joseph Nitikman | Aharon Yosef ben Yisrael v’Devorah | 17/05/1940 | 29/07/2026 | 15 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Berney | – | 06/10/1936 | 28/07/2026 | 14 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Arthur Arkin | Avraham ben Yitzchak haLevi v’Sarah | 22/05/1927 | 24/07/2026 | 10 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Dick Bell | Daniel ben David v’Chana | 28/12/1927 | 19/07/2026 | 5 Av 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Reesa Nerman | Rivka bat Shlomo v’ Shaindel Leah | 30/05/1954 | 18/07/2026 | 4 Av 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Garry Israel Frankel | Gershon Israel ben Shlomo Moshe v’Miriam | 14/08/1953 | 13/07/2026 | 28 Tamuz 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Caroline Shelley Raber | Tzipi bat Yisrael v’Ita | 30/01/1955 | 11/07/2026 | 26 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Estelle Meyers | Esther Tzivia | 26/10/1941 | 10/07/2026 | 25 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Alice Grace Lazar | Sarah bat Avraham v’Sarah | 27/12/1926 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Paula Wolfman | Piya bat Mordechai v’Esther | 15/09/1953 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Sharon Ricki Feuer | Sharona Rivka bat Avraham v’Sarah | 14/05/1940 | 08/07/2026 | 23 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Neil Margolis | Nissan ben Chaim Nechemia v’Deveorah | 29/07/1936 | 01/07/2026 | 16 Tamuz 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sheldon Paul Nemy | Solomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel | 01/04/1947 | 23/06/2026 | 8 Tamuz 5786 | Hebrew Sick Cemetery | More Info |
| Murray Kadys | Moshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla | 12/01/1945 | 19/06/2026 | 4 Tamuz 5786 | Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage Ave | More Info |
| Richard Gordon | Yitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina | 06/11/1943 | 14/06/2026 | 29 Sivan 5786 | Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MB | More Info |
| David Harold Diamond | David ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi | 08/04/1929 | 09/06/2026 | 24 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Sidney Green | Simcha ben Aharon v’Rosa | 01/08/1929 | 07/06/2026 | 22 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Cecile Kowall | Tzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata | 24/05/1935 | 03/06/2026 | 18 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Joan Hargrave | Chana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina | 14/07/1953 | 01/06/2026 | 16 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Irwin Barry Stronger | Yitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila | 16/09/1941 | 31/05/2026 | 15 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| David Ivan Cohen | David Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba | 06/06/1956 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Maxine Hochman | Tziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther | 31/12/1940 | 30/05/2026 | 14 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Alvin Murray Zivot | Avraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam | 03/08/1931 | 27/05/2026 | 11 Sivan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Tova Vickar | Tova bat Nachum v’Yenta | 24/08/1949 | 22/05/2026 | 6 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Karen Leipsic | Chaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel | 03/04/1944 | 21/05/2026 | 5 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Phyllis Lee Dana | Fayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya | 05/10/1936 | 17/05/2026 | 1 Sivan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Betty Brina Simon | Bayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam | 27/07/1935 | 15/05/2026 | 28 Iyar 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Basia Bayla Fliegel | Bayla bat Leib | 31/05/1930 | 13/05/2026 | 26 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Harold Diamond | Tzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana | 04/12/1935 | 12/05/2026 | 25 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gary Rayburn | Gershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha | 21/09/1965 | 09/05/2026 | 22 Iyar 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Ray Schnoor | Raizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel | 13/06/1927 | 05/05/2026 | 19 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Gila Ruth Fainstein | Rachel bat Kiva v’Leah | 25/06/1935 | 04/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Toby Schwartz | Chaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana | 16/07/1932 | 01/05/2026 | 14 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Rachel Wolman | Rachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka | 03/02/1962 | 24/04/2026 | 7 Iyar 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Leah Gitlin | Laya bat Yosef v’Frayda | 04/09/1926 | 08/04/2026 | 21 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Lin Joseph Rosenbaum | Yosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah | 17/10/1952 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery | More Info |
| Norman Stein | Nachum ben Avraham v’Chaya | 10/06/1932 | 06/04/2026 | 19 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Marvin Saul Silver | Menachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel | 20/11/1941 | 05/04/2026 | 18 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
| Kimberley Dawn Kirshenbaum | Isabella bat Avraham v’Sarah | 09/12/1969 | 03/04/2026 | 17 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Walter Ganetsky | Zev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah | 23/09/1940 | 02/04/2026 | 15 Nisan 5786 | Bnay Abraham Cemetery | More Info |
| Lorelei Camille Lavitt | Rachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa | 11/04/1936 | 26/03/2026 | 8 Nisan 5786 | Rosh Pina Memorial Park | More Info |
| Melvin Myers | Moshe ben Chaim v’Rachel | 24/04/1936 | 24/03/2026 | 7 Nisan 5786 | Shaarey Zedek Cemetery | More Info |
To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/
Obituaries
DICK BELL
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dick Daniel Bell on July 19, 2026, at the age of 98. Although our hearts are filled with sadness, we find comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his beloved wife of nearly seventy years, Minnie Bell (née Bay), who predeceased him on June 8, 2025. Their love story was one of unwavering devotion, quiet partnership, and unconditional love—a love that shaped generations of their family.
Dick’s greatest joy was always his family. He leaves behind his loving children: Joady Bell (Larry Bloom); David Bell; Karyn Burleigh (Paul); and Debby Brown (Bobby). He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Cory; Breanne ; Jenna (Adam); Jordan (Kady); Jason ;Jonah (Danielle); and Justin. In addition he leaves his precious great-grandchildren: Charlize; Zack; Mimi and Eva. Each carries forward the love, kindness, and values he instilled in them throughout his life.
He was predeceased by his parents, Helen and David Bell, and his siblings, Morley and Lucille. He was affectionately known as “Zadie” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren—a title he wore with immense pride. He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Tannis Mindell (Sheldon), Glenda Segal (David) , Les Silver (Andi), Fern Goldman, Narvey Goldman (Mara), and Andi Bell.
Born in Winnipeg on December 28, 1927, Dick attended Luxton School and St. John’s Tech, graduating in 1945. He celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at the Jewish Orphanage Synagogue in 1941. Dick developed a passion for music at the age of nine when he first sat down at a piano. Music became the soundtrack of his life. By seventeen he was performing professionally, and while attending the University of Manitoba he formed his own orchestra, entertaining audiences throughout Winnipeg and beyond. Even in his later years, the familiar sound of his beloved Chickering Louis XV baby grand piano, one of his most treasured possessions, filled his home with warmth, laughter, and memories. Family members could always count on hearing a few favourite tunes, especially the Bugs Bunny melodies, which always brought smiles.
Dick’s professional life reflected the same qualities that defined him personally—hard work, integrity, and kindness. In 1948, Dick joined the family business, Western Smallware and Stationery Co. Ltd. After joining Western Smallware, he met the woman who would forever change his life. Minnie became not only his wife, but his partner in every sense of the word. Together they created a home filled with warmth, generosity, and unconditional love. In 1979, Dick founded Dick Bell Agencies and began representing toy manufacturers throughout Canada. Years later, with great pleasure, he welcomed his youngest daughter, Debby, into the business and proudly shared that chapter of his life with her.
Above all else, Dick was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, a proud father, an adoring grandfather and great-grandfather, and a loyal friend. His gentle spirit, generous heart, quiet wisdom, and wonderful sense of humour made everyone around him feel welcome and loved. He delighted in telling corny jokes that, invariably, brought much laughter to family gatherings.
Dick and Minnie embraced life together. They traveled the world on more than thirty cruises, creating adventures and memories that they treasured. Yet for Dick, no trip ever compared to the joy he derived from simply being surrounded by his family. Whether celebrating holidays, birthdays, or ordinary Sunday afternoons, he was happiest when with those he loved. Camera in hand, he faithfully preserved countless family moments – not because they were extraordinary, but because he believed every moment together was worth remembering.
Dick and Minnie were devoted members of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue throughout their married life and generously supported many causes close to their hearts, including the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, the Combined Jewish Appeal, and the State of Israel. Their faith was reflected not only in what they believed, but in how they lived—with generosity, humility, compassion, and gratitude.
At the age of 58, Dick underwent quintuple bypass surgery—a life-changing event for both him and Minnie. From that day forward, Minnie devoted herself to his health and well-being, carefully managing his heart-healthy lifestyle and encouraging his daily walks. Her unwavering love and care, combined with Dick’s determination, helped him enjoy many more years of good health and precious time with his family.
One of Dick’s final gifts to his family was the autobiography he wrote, preserving the remarkable story of his life for generations to come. But those who knew him understand that his true legacy cannot be contained within the pages of a book. It lives in every lesson he quietly taught, every family tradition he helped create, every melody played on the piano, every photograph he carefully took, every joke lovingly repeated, and every life he touched with his kindness.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dick’s compassionate caregivers, Mae, Emmanda, Tammy, Sandra , Estela and Nette for the loving care they provided both at home and when Minnie and Dick transitioned to the Simkin Centre.
The family wants to especially acknowledge a number of individuals for their exemplary care and devotion to Dick – Dr.John Rabson, Dr. Grant Goldberg ,Dr. Marni Wiseman and Dr. Wayne Manishen. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated staff of the Simkin Centre,
Dick lived a remarkable life, but those who loved him will remember something even more remarkable: the way he made each person feel valued, welcomed, and loved. His gentle presence was a blessing to all who knew him, and his love will continue to live on in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all whose lives he enriched.
We will miss him beyond words, love him always, and carry his memory with us forever.
For those who wish, donations in Dick’s memory may be made to the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or the Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Choir and Music Fund.
Obituaries
ESTELLE (TZIVIE) MEYERS
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Estelle (Tzivie) Meyers, who passed away on July 10, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born on October 26, 1941, in Winnipeg, Canada, Tzivie lived a life defined by love, strength, and devotion to her family and community.
Tzivie dedicated her life to education, beginning at an early age at Herzlia Academy and continuing throughout her career in early childhood education within the public school system. In her later years, she found great joy in teaching adults. Her generosity and commitment to learning touched the lives of many over several decades. She was widely respected for her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. She also found joy in music, gardening, and volunteer work, especially with the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Tzivie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose love and guidance will remain a lasting legacy to all those she leaves behind.
Tzivie passed away on what would have been her 66th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, Ron Meyers. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Jeffrey (Lori), Brian (Fatuma), and Adrienne (Anibal); her grandchildren, Jeremy, Ethan, Amira (Ziyad), Halima, Sara, and Ronen; her great-granddaughter, Bushra; and her siblings, Harvey (Pat) and Karin. She was predeceased by her husband, Ron.
Her legacy of love, resilience, and generosity will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Funeral services were held on July 13, 2026, at Congregation Shaarey Zedek and were officiated by her dear friend and clergy member, Cantor Leslie Emery. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Pat Harris and the team at Palliative Care Manitoba for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, Magen David Adom, or Palliative Care Manitoba – causes that were close to her heart.
Though she is no longer with us, her love, wisdom, and spirit will remain with all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

