RAE DREMAN

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RAE DREMAN Rae Dreman passed away peacefully on February 1, 2002. Rae was predeceased by her husband Joe in July of 2000. She was the beloved mother of Sherrill Hershberg (Dane) of Winnipeg, David Dreman (Holly) of New Jersey, and Solly Dreman (Orly) of Israel. She was the proud grandmother of Tyler, Erin, and Evan Hershberg, Meredith and David Dreman Jr., and Dalit Medina (Eitan), Galia and Orna Dreman; and great-grandmother to Yonathen and Yuval Medina. She is also survived by her brother Natt Trojan of Los Angeles, CA, her sister-in-law Esther Dreman, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue on February 17, 2002. Pallbearers were Tyler Hershberg, Nelson Zagalsky, Charles Weiner, Allan Palansky, Leonard Ganetsky, and Stuart Brick. Honorary pallbearers were Marilyn Resnick and Cynthia Dreman. Rae was born in Oman, Kiev in 1916 to Michael and Fanny Trojan. Her family escaped from Russia in 1923 during the Russian Civil War and were endangered in their passage. Rae and her family immigrated to Canada, and settled in Winnipeg. Her father was a photographer, and at an early age she began to paint the photographs he took. She did this professionally for many years. The Trojan family life centered on music. Rae and her sisters were known as the "Trojan Sisters" and had many wonderful times together singing for charities and on The Noah Witmann Program on radio. Rae continued after her sisters passed on, to entertain at many community events. Anyone who had the privilege of watching her perform at the Sharon Home, the Gwen Secter Center for Creative Living, or most recently with the Stay Young Choir, could not help but observe the joy in the faces of those in the audience who participated in her "singalongs" or those who appeared to be revelling in the memories conjured as they listened to her familiar Yiddish, Russian, Hebrew, and English melodies. Raes performances were always about making others happy. She was active in many organizations in the Jewish community. She was a member of ORT, Hadassah, the Jewish Womens Musical Club, and the National Council of Jewish Women in addition to the Stay Young Choir. Her home was open to numerous charitable events through the years, and she was always a gracious hostess. Rae was a remarkable Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt. She studied the Hebrew language so that she could communicate directly with her Israeli grandchildren. She travelled tirelessly to visit her children and grandchildren and even nieces and nephews. She rarely missed a family event no matter how far away or how difficult it became for her later on in her life. She visited Israel over 40 times. Rae loved life, and she lived every moment to the fullest. She had the unique gift of making everybody she encountered feel very special. She was devoted to her family and friends, and 600 Queenston where she resided with Joe for 47 years was always a hub of activity whether it was to have family members for dinners, or for her to host parties or charitable events. Her childrens friends felt comfortable at the Dremans - and many considered Rae a second mother. Rae and Joe were childhood sweethearts who married on February 17, 1935. Joe passed away on July 31, 2000, after they had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Rae and Joe complemented each other so very well, and each looked out for the other until the very end. Rae was buried beside Joe on their anniversary, February 17, 2002. May a higher spirit grant that they rest in peace, now together again. For those who wish to be advised, a special Choir Fund has been established in Raes name at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Any other charity of your choice would also be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 22, 2002