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
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.
Obituaries
HERB SINGER
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Herb Singer passed away on April 3, 2025.
He is survived by his daughters, Leslie (Sheppy Coodin), Marnie and Sheryl (Kevin Segall). He is also survived by grandchildren, Josh Glow (Leah), Sari Glow, Justin Segall and Hayden Segall, his brother Earl (Mimi), and sisters-in-law, Maureen Steinfeld (Leo) and Bonnie Dressler (Kenny). He was predeceased by his wife Myrna, his parents, Anne and Dave Singer and in-laws, Irma and Harry Nepon.
Herb was born on February 26, 1944, in Winnipeg and spent his early years on the family farm in Ratcliffe, Saskatchewan before the family moved into the city, eventually settling on Smithfield in the North End.
Herb attended West Kildonan Collegiate, excelling in both academics and sports. Herb and Myrna grew up between Salter and Aikins but did not attend the same high school because the back lane between Smithfield (where Herb lived) and McAdam (where Myrna lived) was the dividing marker for St. John’s and West Kildonan. They met in 1960, having been introduced by a neighbour of Myrna’s who was friends with Herb. It was love at first sight; they married in 1966 after graduating from the University of Manitoba.
Herb received his CA designation in 1972. He began his career in public practice but then switched to working as the controller of GIII Limited, which he said allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Herb and Myrna loved spending summers with their girls travelling to Detroit Lakes with other Winnipeggers. Later years found the family travelling campgrounds in Canada and the US in the trailer and finally settling in for summers at Gimli, where the family has happy memories of days at the beach and nights by the campfire.
Herb was an athlete all his life; he played basketball and football as a teenager and then played squash, tennis, racquetball and golf as an adult. Herb spent much of his retirement on the golf courses with friends and grandchildren and also loved his bowling league.
Herb and Myrna loved travelling and together explored China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, England and Israel just to mention a few places.
Herb was an extremely social person and connected with many people over the years through golf, bowling, bridge and through winters in Palm Springs.
Herb was a supporter of community organizations over his years. He helped organize fundraising dinners for Talmud Torah when his children were students, he was umpire at his girls’ baseball games and in later years, he helped with fundraising at Congregation Etz Chayim, particularly with the yearly Golf tournament as well as the Lottery Brunch. He also donated blood well over 100 times.
His most rewarding role was that of Zaida. He loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was attending concerts, games or marking a special occasion. He would always make sure his freezer was full of meatballs and ice cream and his cupboard was full of treats for their visits.
Herb loved watching sports on TV and rarely missed a Bomber or Jets game. He particularly enjoyed watching with his family and friends and thought himself an excellent armchair coach!
A funeral service was held at Chesed Shel Emes with burial at Rosh Pina Memorial Park on April 4, 2025.
Those who are wishing to honour Herb are encouraged to make a donation in his memory to Congregation Etz Chayim or to the charity of their choice.
Obituaries
YHETTA MIRIAM GOLDCM, OM, BA
September 3, 1929 – April 25, 2025
Yhetta passed away at home on her own terms.
As per her wishes, there will be no service.
The family would like to thank Realcare Inc, particularly Kristina, Ana, Agrima and Chantal for their compassion and expertise.
For those that would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider a gift to the Yhetta Gold Campership Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3N 2B4, jewishfoundation.org, or to a charity of your choice.
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