LORRAINE HELENA (BABYCHUK) FINKLE

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LORRAINE HELENA (BABYCHUK) FINKLE On December 10, 2003, after a lengthy illness and surrounded by her children, friends and family, Lorraine "Honey", passed away. She was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Steve Babychuk. Her daughter Esther Finkle Hollander and son-in-law Yitzchak Hollander of New York, NY, survive her. Lorraine was born in Winnipeg and was raised and educated in North Kildonan. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 1972. Although she was an only child, she grew up with a loving extended family and formed close and loving attachments to her aunts, uncles and cousins. In her earlier years, Lorraine was employed as an administrative assistant with the University of Manitoba, The Society for Manitobans with Disabilities and the Bnay Abraham Synagogue. More recently, Lorraine worked as an actress in film, radio and theatre and was a familiar face in local advertisements. Lorraine was also an accomplished poet who loved to give readings of her work. Several of her pieces received awards or were published in Canadian books and periodicals. She was also an enthralling raconteur and regaled her audiences with absorbing tales of her life and the characters in it. Lorraine faced many challenges in her life. She approached each one with strength, tenacity, dignity and optimism. In the most difficult, trying and painful of times, she never complained. She maintained a wonderful sense of humour - wry, self-deprecating and witty - through lifes travails and even in the hours preceding her death. While raising her daughter, she made many sacrifices to ensure that Esther was given every opportunity and advantage. Lorraine was extremely proud of Esther and rejoiced in her and her achievements daily. When Esther married in 2002, Lorraine delighted in welcoming her dear "son Yitzchak" into the family. He was a source of great comfort to her. Lorraine was a woman of profound religious faith and an observant Jew. Her belief in God was central to her and sustained her. In the tradition of her faith, she was a woman of true generosity and freely gave money to friends, charities and strangers, even though her own need was sometimes great. She was also greatly involved in volunteer efforts and community service. She loved Israel and was a staunch supporter of it. Her door was open to all. Lorraine looked forward to feeding anyone who entered her home and her knishes, blintzes, kreplach, verinike and gelfilte fish were legendary. Many recall Lorraines fabulous and plentiful feasts, particularly her beautiful seders, which Esther often led and afternoons of Beef Wellington and wine accompanied by the strains of Ravels Bolero. She had many friends and was a wonderful friend to all of them. Funeral services took place on December 11, 2003 at the Chesed Shel Emes. Interment was at the Hebrew Sick Benefit Society Cemetery. A memorial service honouring Lorraine was held at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York on January 11, 2004. If friends so desire, donations in Lorraines memory may be made to a charity of ones choice. Lorraine was in all senses a woman of valour. She was well loved and will be profoundly missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 01, 2004