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
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.