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Obituaries

Roseline Usiskin (née Wolodarsky)

With great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Roseline Usiskin on November 2, 2022 after a brief illness. She was ninety-four years old. Roseline (also known as Baba, Rose or Roz) was an important person in so many people’s lives. She was a friend and a mentor to us all; a shining example of integrity, principle and kindness.
Roz was born in 1928 in Winnipeg, the third of seven surviving children born to Joseph Wolodarsky and Florence (Litman). She married Larry Usiskin in 1949. Roz is survived by her sons Michael (Jean), Arnie (Robyn) and Len (Priscilla), and her grandchildren Jana (Nic), Josh (Shelley), Aaron (Kasandra), Beth (Rob), Jacqui (Max), Mika (Alekcei), and great grandchildren Laurence, Miriam, Konrad, Julia, Felix, Aria, Nolan, Edie, Basil, Nya and Lola as well as her sister Evelyn, brother Bill (AnnMaree), brothers-in-law Dave and Sid (Viki) and sister-in-law Marcia, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her parents, Joseph and Florence, her husband Larry, her siblings Doris, Jack, Shirley and Marilyn, and her sisters- and brothers-in-law Fred, Shirley, Sid, and Martin predeceased her.
Roz lived a remarkable and engaged life, which was shaped in her youth by radical left wing family members and friends who were writers and activists. She thought critically and she was curious about the world and other’s points of view. She loved to read and debate ideas and to discuss the pressing issues of the day.
Some of her activities and accomplishments include teaching kindergarten at Peretz and Shalom Aleichem schools; director of the children’s summer Camp Husavik; completion of high school as an adult and then going on to complete a Master’s degree in Sociology and History (earning a gold medal for both); lecturer at the University of Winnipeg; published articles and book reviews focused on the Jewish radical left in Winnipeg (she was widely consulted about her research); founding executive director of the Manitoba Multicultural Resource Centre; president of the Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada where she facilitated its’ move to the Jewish Community Campus; a lifelong member of the United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO) serving for many years as local President and also as a member of the national executive board; member of the national editorial board of the Canadian Jewish Outlook; and member of Jewish Voices for Peace. Roz also translated (from Yiddish to English), edited and published two books of letters by her father and his relatives.
Roz’s social and political activism included many progressive issues related to human rights, peace and social justice. She was part of the secular Jewish movement and was passionate about preserving Yiddish language and culture. She sang in various Jewish and labour choirs and was a founding organizer of the Shalom Aleichem Cultural group.
Roz and Larry travelled extensively all over the world. She loved attending cultural events — theatre, concerts, movies, ballet and opera.
Maintaining close family connections was extremely important to Roz. She was the matriarch of both the Wolodarsky and Usiskin families and she ensured that family and friends came together for every possible milestone or simcha. She loved to host suppers and gatherings in her Winnipeg home and at her Winnipeg Beach cottage. Food was an essential part of every get together. She especially enjoyed lively conversations with family and friends, often with a cup of tea in hand.
Both Roz and Larry were supportive, loving and proud parents and grandparents. They raised three active boys in a modest bungalow on Burrin Avenue in West Kildonan. Roz was very involved in her childrens’ and grandchildrens’ lives. She was also involved in the lives of her siblings and many nieces and nephews. Many people not in our family adopted her as a mother figure. They knew they could always come to her for support and advice.
We are inspired by her enthusiasm for life, her kindness and generosity, and the curiosity and intellect she demonstrated throughout her life. Her whole family is proud of all her accomplishments and the ideals she stood for. We know Roz felt there was still much work to be done to make the world a better place for all, and she was involved in projects as recently as this past autumn. She planted many seeds for peace and justice, and her legacy will carry on to make a better world.
Roz’s funeral was held Sunday, November 6, 2022, at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery. We are planning a larger celebration of Roz’s life at Winnipeg Beach next summer. Donations in Roz’s honour may be made to: UJPO (United Peoples Jewish Order), the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, the Judaic Studies Program at the University of Manitoba, or to a meaningful organization of your choice.

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Obituaries

Recent funerals – as posted on the Chesed Shel Emes website

Sheldon Paul NemySolomon ben Moshe haKohen v’Rachel01/04/194723/06/20268 Tamuz 5786Hebrew Sick CemeteryMore Info
Murray KadysMoshe ben Shmuel v’Bayla12/01/194519/06/20264 Tamuz 5786Beit Chayim Mikdash Shalom, Chapel Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Portage AveMore Info
Richard GordonYitzchak ben Yaakov v’Dina06/11/194314/06/202629 Sivan 5786Grays’ Ridge Cemetery, Alonsa MBMore Info
David Harold DiamondDavid ben Avraham Yehoshua haLevi08/04/192909/06/202624 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Sidney GreenSimcha ben Aharon v’Rosa01/08/192907/06/202622 Sivan 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Cecile KowallTzivia bat Shlomo David v’ Sluva Mata24/05/193503/06/202618 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Joan HargraveChana Henya bat Binyamin Mayer haLevi v’ Miriam Dina14/07/195301/06/202616 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Irwin Barry StrongerYitzchak Dov ben Matityahu v’Baila16/09/194131/05/202615 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
David Ivan CohenDavid Yitzchak ben Yaakov Moshe v’Sara Liba06/06/195630/05/202614 Sivan 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Phyllis Maxine HochmanTziporah bat Shmuel v’Esther31/12/194030/05/202614 Sivan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Alvin Murray ZivotAvraham Moshe ben Yaakov v’Leah Miriam03/08/193127/05/202611 Sivan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Tova VickarTova bat Nachum v’Yenta24/08/194922/05/20266 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Karen LeipsicChaya Tova bat Kalman v’Raizel03/04/194421/05/20265 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Phyllis Lee DanaFayge-Leah bat Moshe BenZion v’Chaya05/10/193617/05/20261 Sivan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Betty Brina SimonBayla bat Yitzchak v’Miriam27/07/193515/05/202628 Iyar 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Basia Bayla FliegelBayla bat Leib31/05/193013/05/202626 Iyar 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Harold DiamondTzvi ben Yaacov v’Chana04/12/193512/05/202625 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Gary RayburnGershon Aaron ben Hersh Ber v’Masha21/09/196509/05/202622 Iyar 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Ray SchnoorRaizel bat Ephraim v’Rachel13/06/192705/05/202619 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Gila Ruth FainsteinRachel bat Kiva v’Leah25/06/193504/05/202614 Iyar 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Toby SchwartzChaya Tovah bat Moshe v’Chana16/07/193201/05/202614 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Rachel WolmanRachel Bayla bat Moshe v’Malka03/02/196224/04/20267 Iyar 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Leah GitlinLaya bat Yosef v’Frayda04/09/192608/04/202621 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Lin Joseph RosenbaumYosef Levi ben Hershel Zvi v’Dvorah17/10/195206/04/202619 Nisan 5786Hebrew Sick Benefit CemeteryMore Info
Norman SteinNachum ben Avraham v’Chaya10/06/193206/04/202619 Nisan 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Marvin Saul SilverMenachem Shaul ben Avraham v’Chana Gitel20/11/194105/04/202618 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info
Kimberley Dawn KirshenbaumIsabella bat Avraham v’Sarah09/12/196903/04/202617 Nisan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Walter GanetskyZev ben Yosef haLevi v’Tziporah23/09/194002/04/202615 Nisan 5786Bnay Abraham CemeteryMore Info
Lorelei Camille LavittRachel bat Yaakov v’Raisa11/04/193626/03/20268 Nisan 5786Rosh Pina Memorial ParkMore Info
Melvin MyersMoshe ben Chaim v’Rachel24/04/193624/03/20267 Nisan 5786Shaarey Zedek CemeteryMore Info

To see more funerals go to https://chesedshelemes.org/records-of-the-deceased/

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KAREN LEIPSIC

April 3, 1944 – May 21, 2026

Beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend, Chaya Tova bat Raisel v’Calman.

Born on April 3, 1944, in Saskatchewan, Karen (Chaya Tova) was raised in a deeply rooted Jewish home built by parents whose courage and resilience shaped generations to come. Her father, Calman, was born on the Lipton Baron Hirsch colony, established by Jewish immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity in Canada. Her mother, Rose Bercovici, emigrated from Solitza, Romania, in 1930, leaving behind family and a world she would never see again. Together, they created a home grounded in love, Yiddishkeit, chesed, and unwavering Jewish pride.

Raised initially in Dysart, Saskatchewan, and later in Melville, Karen grew up surrounded by family, Jewish tradition, and a close-knit prairie Jewish community that remained central to her identity throughout her life. She spoke often and lovingly of those formative years and carried their values with her always.

As a young woman, she moved to Winnipeg, where she built a new chapter of her life with her best friend Shirley Anne Teplitsky Z”L and soon met the love of her life, Peter who was a devoted husband to the very last moments. They married in 1970 and together built a home filled with warmth, laughter, resilience, ahavat Yisrael, and unconditional love.

She was a fiercely devoted mother who believed deeply in the limitless potential of her children. Her love, encouragement, and strength shaped every aspect of their lives. She taught her family to be proud Jews, to carry themselves with dignity and confidence, and never to fear adversity. Her support was constant, her standards high, and her love unwavering.

Karen had an unique gift to make people feel seen and special. She was incredibly warm and kind and would never miss an opportunity to take time to engage with everyone she encountered each in a unique and personal way sharing support and kindness with everyone she met. She saw the uniqueness in all of humanity in a fashion that is so incredibly rare.

In 2001 and 2004, she welcomed a cherished daughter-in-law Karly and son-in law Kevin into the family. To her they were simply her children. She loved them with the same depth and constancy. In 2004 she embraced what would become one of the great joys of her life: becoming “Bobbie.” Nothing brought her greater happiness than her grandchildren. She adored each of them uniquely and completely, delighting in their personalities, interests, accomplishments, and everyday moments. From Shabbos dinners and movie nights to family trips in Spain and Costa Rica and Israel, Disneyland adventures, and countless chaggim and seders celebrated together, she created memories that will remain treasured forever.

Karen lived with extraordinary Jewish pride and a profound love for her people. Her life embodied resilience, humour, love and devotion to family. She remained deeply connected to her roots, her upbringing, and the traditions she inherited and passed forward.

Even in her final months, she continued to bring her family together through shared travels, laughter, conversations, and moments of closeness that are now cherished gifts. Though her illness came suddenly and heartbreakingly, the love she gave over a lifetime remains enduring and immeasurable.

She leaves behind a heartbroken but deeply grateful family: her beloved husband Peter; her children Sarah (Kevin) and Jonathon (Karly); her treasured grandchildren Isabella Rose, Hugh, Carsyn, Ryann, Cole, Ty, and Sydney; extended family; lifelong friends; and all those whose lives were enriched by her warmth, strength, wisdom, and kindness.

Her family wishes to express profound gratitude to the many relatives, friends, caregivers, and members of the community who supported them with love, compassion, prayers, and acts of kindness during her illness.

Tehei nishmatah tzrurah bitzror hachayim — may the soul of Chaya Tova bat Raisel v’Calman be bound in the bonds of eternal life.

May her memory forever be a blessing to her family, her friends, and all of Klal Yisrael.

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Obituaries

DAVID H. DIAMOND

David H. Diamond, born on April 8, 1929, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at the age of 97.

Dave grew up in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State University. He proudly served in the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

In 1955, he married Miriam, and together they shared more than 70 years of devotion, partnership, and love.

Dave was a proud and loving father to Sharon (Hillel) and Aubie (Susan); a cherished grandfather to Josh (Samantha), Azriel (Carrie), Daniel (Jenn), Yael (Yoel), and Noah (Tali); and a beloved great-grandfather to 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom are his treasured legacy.

David excelled in his business ventures and was highly regarded and respected by all who knew and worked with him as a man of unwavering integrity.

The family extends enduring gratitude to the staff on Weinberg 3 at the Simkin Centre, who cared for Dave with exceptional love, kindness, and compassion.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.

Donations in David’s memory may be made to the Chesed Shel Emes Endowment Fund through the Jewish Foundation at 204-477-7520.

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