Obituaries
RUTH GUTKIN October 10, 1920 – November 10, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our remarkable mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Ruth Gutkin. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Jack, her parents, Passy (Selig) and Benjamin Moscovitch, by brothers, Sydney Moss and Norman Moss, and sisters, Laura Rosen, Hannah Steindel, Esther Herscovitch, Irene Gunn, and Evelyn Silver.
Ruth is survived by her children, Terry Gutkin (Carole) and Donald Gutkin (Belva); by her grandchildren, Hedy Taylor (Scott), Beth Roy (Shane), Shaun Gutkin (Angela) and Meghan Gutkin; by her great- grandchildren, Jainie, Joshie, Nevan, Lucy, Angelica, Aria and Bella Rose; by her sister-in-law, Shirley Hendin, as well as by many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Ruth was a remarkable woman in every sense of the word. For 61 years she devoted her life to her husband, Jack, who was the love of her life. Ruth celebrated her 102nd birthday on October 10, 2022 and lived to experience over those many years and to adapt to, profound technological and social changes as well as to experience monumental historical events. Her mind and memory were extraordinarily sharp right up until her death and she maintained a keen interest in world and local affairs despite hearing and sight difficulties.
Although she lost her husband in 2004, Ruth maintained her independence and fiercely protected it right up until her passing. After the death of her husband, she continued to live for a while in their condominium and then moved into the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence. There she was able to maintain an active lifestyle almost right until the end. Ruth was extremely conscious of maintaining her health and partook with gusto in the physical fitness courses offered at the Shaftesbury. Ruth had many friends at the Shaftesbury and was described by one of her fitness instructors as an “amazing strong willed independent warrior.”
In the last year or so, Ruth reluctantly admitted that she needed the help of caregivers. She was very grateful for the care and comfort they provided to her as well as for the attention the Shaftesbury staff was able to give to her.
Ruth lived with dignity, wished to die with dignity and left this earth with her dignity intact. Ruth’s overwhelming fear as she neared the end of her life, with her health rapidly failing, was to have to live out her remaining days in a nursing home. Mercifully, this fear was never realized. About five weeks prior to her passing and unable to receive the care she required at the Shaftesbury, Ruth was admitted to the Palliative Care ward of the Riverview Health facility. Here she spent her remaining days receiving phenomenal and loving care.
In her earlier years Ruth, together with Jack, gave back to the community, serving as presidents of B’nai Brith in Winnipeg and working with youth through the B’nai Brith Youth Organization as well as with many other organizations. After Jack’s retirement Ruth spent many wonderful winters with him in Hawaii, Palm Springs, and Phoenix. Ruth was especially fond of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always there for them and they loved her deeply.
Ruth will be missed by all of the family and by those fortunate enough to have known her. She will live forever in their memories.
Ruth’s family wishes to thank the nurses, caregivers and staff at the Shaftesbury and the doctors, nurses and social workers at Riverview, who provided compassionate and wonderful care to her. A special thank you goes to Dr. Bruce Martin and Dr. Ted St. Goddard who were there for Ruth whenever she needed them. Also special thanks to Ruth’s niece, Karen Steindel, and her great-niece, Marina Herscovitch, who spent countless hours providing companionship and assistance to her.
Funeral services and interment were at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on November 13, 2022, with Rabbi Mass officiating. Pallbearers were Shane Roy, Martin Herscovitch, Richie Herscovitch, Gordon Steindel, Itzik Joudan, and Hartley Hyman.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Riverview Health Centre Foundation.
Obituaries
TEDDY MULLER
In the early hours of September 29, 2025, holding the hands of his beloved daughter and granddaughter, Teddy quietly passed away just weeks before his 100th birthday. His passing coincided with the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest of days, a sign of how honourably Teddy lived his life.
Teddy was born October 25 to his loving parents, Shlomo and Luisa in Balavasar, Romania and remained proud of his Transylvanian roots. He enjoyed a happy childhood with his older siblings, Lola and Zoli. Life drastically changed with the onset of the war. Teddy was forced into a slave labour camp while his siblings and mother were taken to concentration camps. His mother was murdered the day before liberation at Auschwitz, something that haunted him the rest of his life. Teddy’s entire testimony of the brutality that he endured is documented in the Steven Spielberg Shoah Foundation archive.
In the Fall of 1947, Teddy arrived in Winnipeg and within 24 hours was working as an upholsterer and didn’t stop until he was 88 years old. Along the way he was introduced to his beautiful Marie. They were married in 1950 during the flood and spent nearly 70 years together. Two young Holocaust survivors, with a mutual understanding of persecution and loss, began to build their lives together. They built a family with a strong and loving foundation. Their business, Art Upholstering, was built on honesty, respect and a commitment to craftsmanship. Teddy was always proud of the homes he had furnished and the connections he made with his customers. He was especially proud of restoring historical furnishings from Parks Canada. Teddy never had to take out an ad as his sterling reputation spoke for itself. Teddy had golden hands that crafted high quality showcases of his trade and artisanship. The same resilience that brought him through the war, brought him through a devastating fire where no arsonist was going to dictate his future. With the help of Fred and Cynthia Brick, Teddy rebuilt Art Upholstering from the ashes.
Family and friends were the most important things to Teddy. To know him was to love him. His charismatic and engaging personality left lasting impressions. His historical aptitude made him a force to be reckoned with in any debate.
Teddy revelled in the successes of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the world to him. He took his role as patriarch to heart. His support and love for his family was unconditional. He especially rose to the role of Zaidie and great-Zaidie Teddy Bear. He was a giver and never asked for much. Sitting on his deck, surrounded by his plants and apple tree filled his heart and soul.
Aging in his home was very important to Teddy. The compassionate care of Erlyn, his Joy, Timmalee, Adeena, Rose, Johnny and Marty was instrumental in maintaining Teddy’s dignity and independence and fulfilling his wish. Teddy’s quality of life was maintained thanks to the dedication of Dr. Brenda Hildebrand and her caring team. Regular visits from Chris, Gail, Alex, Allan and Emily kept Teddy engaged and stimulated.
Teddy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Marie, his devoted son-in-law, Marshall, and granddaughter Jada. He is survived by his beloved daughter Laya, cherished grandchildren, Kyle (Carol), Gabi (Benji) and Skye (Cam), treasured great-grandchildren Alex, Maddy, Mavis, Mickey and Dori, as well as his son Marvin, and loving granddaughters Ilana and Timna.
Donations may be made to the Marshall S. Kneller Memorial Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba or any organization supporting Israel, a cause near and dear to Teddy’s heart.
Obituaries
RUTH KLAPMAN December 20, 1929 – September 24, 2025
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt, Ruth Klapman.
Ruth lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. She was devoted to her late husband, Sam, her partner for 68 years. Together, they brought joy to every gathering-always the first to dance and the last to say goodbye.
Ruth was deeply committed to volunteer work. She gave her time to organizations including Hadassah, ORT, the National Council of Jewish Women, Pioneer Women, and the Women’s Endowment Fund. She chaired the ORT thrift store for 14 years, and she sang in Israel as a member of the Rosh Pina Synagogue Choir.
Ruth spent every summer at Winnipeg Beach, sharing komish and other treats with generations of neighbourhood children who would visit the cottage throughout the day. She was everybody’s ‘Bubbie’. Winters were spent in Palm Springs, welcoming her children and grandchildren for fun in the sun.
Ruth was a true party person who loved spending time with friends and hosting family gatherings. Her home was a place where people came together to share meals, stories, and laughter. She enjoyed travelling the world and never refusing an invitation, no matter where it was.
Mother to Sandi (Sam Malamud), Marla Bernstein, Hartley (Drew Salter), and Jody (Brian Goldberg); grandmother to Andrew (Hilary), Allan (Alona), Aaron (Alanna), Jason (Lindsay), Steven (Alexis), Dana (Tom), Brady (Matt), Carly (Jay), Hanna (Gaby), and Kevin (Ilana).
Great-grandmother to Florie, Stan, Juniper, Angus, Isaac, Otto, Cole, Chase, Charlotte, Rory, Mason, and Romi; sister-in-law to Sandy Youssiem; Auntie Ruthie to many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Sam, her parents Reuben and Rose Youssiem, and her brother Saul Youssiem.
A special thank you to Marivel Toledo for her many years of care and dedication, and to Lorna Allen and Fabi Patriarca for their great support.
Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl for officiating the funeral service, which took place on September 26, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth and Sam Klapman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520.
Obituaries
JEROME AVERY
April 2, 1945 – September 11, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerome Avery, who passed away with his family by his side on September 11, 2025, at the age of 80.
Jerome was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Allan and Diane Avery. He was married to the love of his life, Karen, for 46 years, until her passing. Jerome was blessed to find love and companionship again with Sergia, who he cared deeply for.
Jerome treasured being “Zaida” to his grandchildren, Danica, Alexis, and Nathan. Jerome is survived by his loving children, Robyn (Don) and Tammy (Chris); his grandchildren Danica (Benny), Alexis (Brett), and Nathan; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Karen, his parents Allan and Diane Avery, and his in-laws Nathan and Rose Sarbit.
His smile lit up a room bringing joy and comfort to all who knew him.