ESTELLE SARA HERSHFIELD

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ESTELLE SARA HERSHFIELD May 25, 1926 - November 25, 2013 Estelle Sara Hershfield passed away peacefully Monday, November 25, 2013 at Victoria General Hospital. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Lois Offerman, Maxine Zabenskie, Esther Hershfield and son-in-law Murray Cox. She will also be missed by her grandchildren Michael Offerman; Joey and Jocelyn Offerman; Pamela and Andrew Conrad; Susan Zabenskie and Val Boudreau; Nancy and Tim Hilderman; Harvey Cox and Cindy Chiu. Brayden Offerman; McKenna Offerman; Jacob and Owen Conrad; Brett, Casey, Gordon and Mason Hilderman will all have fond memories of their Great-Baba. Mom is also survived by her niece Janet Mann and her Hershfield nieces and nephews. Mom was born May 25, 1926 on her grandparents' farm on McPhillips Street to Mabel Bercovitch and Maurice Brovender. She was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Harry, her sister and brother-in-law Gretta and Andy Rakowski and her niece Rochelle Barton. She enjoyed playing many sports, including bowling, golf, baseball, curling and darts. Mom received many trophies for her bowling scores, both as a single and as a team player. She played baseball when she was in her sixties, and played mah-jong for many, many years. She was so excited when she came home a winner of fifteen cents. Mom also loved to read. She couldn't wait until a Danielle Steele or John Grisham book came out in paperback. She had to have it now! Mom worked at Helene's, Clifford's, Reitmans and Sears. She was an excellent sales lady and enjoyed interacting with people. She was an expert baker and cook. Among her many specialties were her soups, cakes and chocolate chip cookies. These skills she honed at her other job as housewife to our Dad and as our Mommy'. Mom was a good knitter and the sweaters, scarves and afghans she made were enjoyed by her children and grandchildren. Mom loved fashion and getting dressed up, complete with her signature red lipstick and painted nails. She was a beautiful woman throughout her entire life. Strangers and friends alike always commented how beautiful Mom was, and that she didn't look her age; Mom never felt her age. Mom learned to drive on her honeymoon, January 22, 1947. She always loved her car and the freedom it provided. She would often be seen at Burger King having a hamburger and coffee, while schmoozing and laughing with her friends and staff. She had a great sense of humour and often said: "If you can't laugh, what's the purpose to life?". Her home for the past three and one half years was The Simkin Centre. She enjoyed the variety of outings and also sitting in the atrium to people watch'. She loved to dance and any entertainment that involved music. We are grateful to the kind and compassionate staff who cared for Mom, using their humour, sensitivity and gentleness. Thank you to her companions, Naty and Paulette, who treated Mom with dignity and respect. There were many other people who cared for and loved Mom, including the residents of Weinberg 1, their family members and many companions throughout The Simkin Centre. Mom enjoyed being with her cousin Joan Gordon and her longtime friend Joe Leibl. When Lou Velin came to visit, she was so delighted. Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 27, 2013 from Congregation Etz Chayim with interment at Rosh Pina Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Larry Lander and Cantor Tracey Kasner Greaves. Pallbearers were Michael, Joey and Irv Offerman, Mark Tolchinsky, Richard Lupu and Sean McGillivray. Donations in memory of Mom can be made to The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, The Simkin Centre or a charity of your choice. Mom lived for her daily dose of chocolate. She was sweet without the chocolate! She will be forever loved, remembered and missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 07, 2013