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
DONALD (DON) BASS

1938-2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Donald (Don) Bass on May 14, 2025.
Don is survived by his partner of 25 years Darlene, children, Eileen Fortin (Tim) and Hartley Bass, stepchildren Pyper (Jesse) and Palmer and sister Lynda. He was also a beloved grandfather to Kelsey and Taylor and Zaidie to Rooney and Lux.
Don was predeceased by his parents Abe and Gloria Bass and by his son Jonathon.
Don was born in Fort William, Ontario in 1938. He came to Winnipeg to attend university but ultimately made his mark operating Dutchmaid Ice Cream, including manufacturing ice cream for dairies across Western Canada gaining him the title of “Emperor of Ice Cream”.
During and after operating Dutchmaid, Don also managed rental properties in and around the Osborne Village.
Don was more than an entrepreneur and an astute businessman; he was a man of decency, generosity, integrity and compassion. He treated everyone he met with respect, offering help in any way he could.
Don was also known for his sarcasm and sense of humour earning him the added title of “Real Character”.
Don loved family, he loved people, and he loved his annual trips to South Florida.
Funeral and burial were held on May 20 at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery with the Meal of Condolence at Temple Shalom.
Donations can be made to the General Fund at Temple Shalom or to the Gloria and Abe Bass Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
May Don’s memory be a blessing.
Obituaries
Clarice Yentel Shell (Marantz) May 7, 1927 – May 13, 2025

Surrounded by family, our beloved Mom and Baba said goodbye at age 98. She is survived by her son Barry, and daughters Miriam and Ruth, her daughter-in-law Dorinda Neave, grandchildren Davina and Sam (Elisha) and great grandchildren, Benjamin and Rose.
Clarice, known as “Cal” was the last of her generation to leave us. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Razel Marantz, brothers Chip (Shirley) and Basie (Shirley) and her brothers and sisters-in-law in the Shell family, Hymie (Kay), Pauline (Sam Zinman ) and Bill (Ruth). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Ben Shell and her son in law, Harry Sumner.
Born in Winnipeg, Cal was a trail blazer her entire life. She had numerous volunteer and professional achievements. One of her legacies was her ground breaking research to earn her Masters degree in Social Work in 1966. This led to Cal joining the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba where she made enduring changes to the core curriculum during her 15-year career.
Alongside her enormous contributions to the community, Cal was devoted to her large extended family. This was evidenced by her attendance at the weekly zooms and every major family event including her last visit to Winnipeg at age 97 for a very special Bat Mitzvah. She was a role model, a mentor, and a confidant to many. A skilled listener, Cal had an uncanny way of engaging others. She spoke her truth, helping to make changes and get things done. Cal knew the names and relations of the entire Shell and Marantz extended families and instead of counting sheep, she would often lie there recalling every single name, in every generation, all around the world, until she fell asleep. Her commitment to staying connected will always be remembered as one of her finest gifts.
In 2015, at age 88 Cal moved to Vancouver to be closer to her immediate family members. We thank the amazing staff and her friends at Legacy Senior Living who helped make the last 10 years of mom‘s life rich and full. We would also like to thank Dr. Alex Lecky for his years of excellent care, Colleen Riley and the gifted medical team at Vancouver General Hospital, who made her comfortable in her last days.
Cal was a remarkable person who lived a remarkable life. She will be dearly missed by the many people whose lives she touched.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of which she was a founding member, or the Cal Shell‘s Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba. More details about Cal’s life can be found on her Book of Life page
https://bookoflife.jewishfoundation.org/ebol-donors/clarice-cal-shell
Obituaries
LOUIS COLISH FEBRUARY 15, 1945 – APRIL 23, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the unexpected passing of Louis Colish at the Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by friends. He was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Bessie, whom he deeply cherished. Loui considered his father to be his best friend and he was a devoted caregiver to his mother in her later years.
Born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1945, Louis grew up in Garden City. He had a long and fulfilling career as a Reference Librarian at the West Kildonan Library, where he assisted countless patrons with their questions. Even in retirement, people he would meet often recognized him as “the librarian”.
Louis cherished his relationships with his family and friends. Those who had the privilege of knowing him described him as incredibly friendly, one of their favourite people, and simply the nicest guy.
A lifelong learner, Louis treasured his extensive book collection, with a particular love for astronomy and the works of Carl Sagan. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Europe, Hawaii, Arizona, Disney World, and his most cherished destination, Israel. He also enjoyed attending his bowling league, the Rady JCC’s senior program, and the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre. He loved music from the 1940s and 50s and delighted in performing his favourite tunes in talent shows at the Rady JCC and Gwen Secter programs.
Louis was a devoted member of the Rosh Pina and Etz Chayim synagogues. Fellow congregants fondly remember his passionate and dramatic chanting of the Prayer for Peace from the bimah—a heartfelt expression of his deep hope for a peaceful world.
A graveside service was held on April 25, 2025, at Rosh Pina Memorial Park.
Louis was a kind and generous soul who will be missed but never forgotten.
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