LORETTA LABOVITCH

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LORETTA LABOVITCH It is with deep sadness, that we announce the passing of Loretta Labovitch, (nee Gold) at the Health Science Centre on March 9, 2008 at the age of 77 years. Loretta is survived by Max, her husband of 53 years, two daughters Valerie Lowenstein (Arnie) of Boston and Harriet Breslauer (Richard) of Calgary, as well as four grandchildren, Jeremy (New York City), Daniel (Tel Aviv, Israel), Steven and Kelly (Victoria, BC). Loretta was born in Edson, Alberta on September 6, 1930, daughter of William and Pauline Gold. She was the second youngest of thirteen siblings and is survived by five sisters Eva and Sylvia (of Edmonton), Anita (Denver), Marion (Minneapolis) and Doreen (Minneapolis) and many nieces and nephews. Loretta grew up in a large and loving household in Edson and later moved to Edmonton. When she completed high school, she moved to Winnipeg together with her sister Doreen. She attended school in Winnipeg and then worked for General Distributors. Loretta was very active in sports and was a competitive speed skater. She also enjoyed figure skating, curling, ping pong and bowling. She met her husband Max at the Olympic Hockey Rink in January 1954 and they were married on May 1 of the same year. They were inseparable and their bond grew with the years, even to the end. They shared a love of sports and had a passion for golf. They spent many years playing golf together in Winnipeg, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Loretta enjoyed playing bridge, mah jong, scrabble and solving crossword puzzles. She was a voracious reader of fiction and history and actively followed the politics of the day. She was active in a range of charitable organizations including being a founding member of the Winnipeg chapter of ORT and a life member of Hadassah. Throughout her life, Loretta had an unwavering love for family. She was a devoted mother who wanted the best for each of her daughters. She took great pleasure in her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her tremendous zest for life, sense of humor, quick wit, kindness and selflessness. She will be profoundly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff at the Health Science Centre (units GH4 and GD4) for their support and kindness. The funeral was held March 11, 2008 at the Etz Chaim Synagogue. Pallbearers were her grandsons Jeremy, Daniel, Steven, son-in-laws Arnie and Richard and nephew Shawn Gold. Honorary pallbearers were Cecil Breslauer, Mark Breslauer, Morris Bronstein, Steven Chamish,Walter Goshulak, Al Greenberg,Wayne Haddad, Lanny Jacob, Ernie Labovitch, Bill Pawluk and Manley Rusen. Donations can be made in her memory to the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, R3A 1P6, (204-774-5501) or the Rady Jewish Community Center, B 100-123 Doncaster, Winnipeg, Manitoba (204-477-7510).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 15, 2008