VERA KORMAN (BUCHDREKER)

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VERA KORMAN (nee BUCHDREKER) and HAROLD KORMAN Peacefully, at her home, on October 1, 2005, Vera Korman passed away, mourned by her family who cherished her deeply. Vera, and her loving husband Harold Korman, who predeceased her on October 25, 2001, will be remembered with love by their devoted daughter Patricia Steele (Maurice); their three granddaughters, Tamara Steele of New York, Illana Steele of Winnipeg, and Liora Steele (I.D. Rusen) of Stratford, ON; their three great-grandchildren, Samantha Steele-Mitchell of Winnipeg, Jacob Matthew and Noah Harold Rusen of Stratford. Vera was predeceased by her father Todres Buchdreker in 1959. Vera, an only child, was born near Kiev in Russia in 1909 and at the age of 12 suffered the loss of her mother. Following Vera’s graduation from high school, her father, with foresight and courage, was anxious to escape the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. Promising that she would be able to continue her education, he persuaded Vera to leave her friends, and the life she loved, to come to Canada in 1924. They settled in Morden, MB, where Vera, knowing no English, was required "to continue her education" beginning in Grade One. Mentored by her teachers at Morden Collegiate - Mr. A.W. Tristam, Mr. Pigott, and Mr. Cram - she excelled academically, was admitted to the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing, and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1932. She bonded with nurses throughout her life, and kept in touch with her classmates whose 50-year reunion she hosted. Morden is where, in 1926, Vera met her future husband Harold, one year after he arrived alone in Canada. They were each other’s ’besheert’, each other’s destiny. Though their home towns were not far from each other in the Ukraine, their separate journeys across the Atlantic to Halifax, and across the Canadian landscape to Morden, are what brought them together. As did their shared common experience and understanding of the political and historical forces shaping the world. They married on June 18, 1933, at the home of Rabbi H. Herson in Winnipeg. Despite the trauma and sadness of their early lives, Vera and Harold shaped their life together in Winnipeg, believing in life’s goodness, and faced the trying times of the Depression and The War with courage and independence. They appreciated Canada as "the best country in the world" long before the United Nations rated it so; and they grew attached to Winnipeg, the home town they never left. In those times of scarcity and unemployment, Harold, together with his father-in-law "Tom", maintained a "corner grocery store" at Nassau Street and McMillan Avenue. Trust became the credit card and fostered many life-long friendships between Harold and his customers, who relied on his way of helping them "to get the groceries home". Together Vera and Harold renovated their family residence, a triplex in Fort Rouge, which since 1941 has been home to five generations of their family. They devoted themselves to their only child, Patricia, encouraging her in all her endeavours, stressing the importance of music, always welcoming her friends into their "open" home. They loved their son-in-law Maurice as a son, and were proud of his success in the construction industry. They rejoiced in the births of their granddaughters Tamara, Illana and Liora, designating themselves the only permitted babysitters. Vera loved to cook, knit and garden. Her reputation as a creative cook preceded her, her recipes, all in her head, were considered phenomenal. Every birthday, milestone, Friday night, Chanukah, Passover, was celebrated with her delectable specialties. If the event wasn’t happening in her dining room, she sent the feast to Patricia’s, even on ordinary days. Knitting socks for the Red Cross during the War launched Vera into yet another creative endeavour. There was always something "on the go": magnificent sweaters, and later, an exquisite array of "baby things", special items for the girls, and gifts for friends. Vera became enthralled with gardening, at first under the guidance of Mr. Topin, the gardener at St. Luke’s Church. Every summer she nurtured a garden a gorgeous flower garden and small vegetable patch, a joy she shared with her granddaughters by teaching them "how to garden according to Mr. Topin" and by gathering lovely bouquets and small, but luscious vegetable harvests. In winter, her house plants offered a profusion of greenery. Vera and Harold’s interest in international affairs infused their daily lives with their close following of CBC and PBS news and public affairs programmes. Vera channelled her energy into social action as a member of Pioneer Women (Na’amat), and held the President’s chair of her chapter Biryah for a time. Vera and Harold travelled rarely, but encouraged their children to experience the world ("Always be careful"), and when they returned from travels in Europe and Israel they were always welcomed back. "There’s no place like home". They even applauded when choices to attend university in Quebec and Ontario implied "leaving home for good" - because "doing one’s best" was what mattered. Vera and Harold always connected with their extended family. Regular letters, then phone conversations, to cousins in Rio de Janeiro and Philadelphia, nieces and nephews in Montreal and New York, punctuated the days and years. And their grandchildren always called long-distance to grandma, knowing she was usually home to relay any messages. Vera and Harold marvelled at their own longevity, and cherished it despite the infirmities they encountered. They walked down the aisle at Liora’s and I.D.’s wedding; they rejoiced in knowing their great-grandchildren Samantha and Jacob. "We have lived to witness this", they would always say to each other. Married 68 years, Vera and Harold devoted their lives to each other, and nurtured a uniquely close relationship with their small family, imparting their values to their daughter Patricia and then to their grandchildren. They followed their childrens’ lives with keen interest, offering advice when asked, enjoying their successes, and always "being there" with support when needed, for anything, any time. Funeral services were held on Monday, October 3, Erev Rosh Hashanah 10 a.m. at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, 561 Wellington Crescent, with Rabbi Allan Green officiating, assisted by Cantor Anibal Maas. Vera’s granddaughters Tamara, Illana and Liora, and her great-granddaughter Samantha, each delivered eulogies which drew on their memories of their grandmother - memories which the rabbis call "tzrorei he-chayim", the bonds of life, which connect us unbreakably to the world in which Vera and Harold live forever, the world we carry within. Interment, beside Harold, was at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Maurice Steele, I.D. Rusen, Bob Steele, David Gisser, Jason Gisser, Itzak Amitay. Honorary pallbearers were Gordon McKinnon and Morty Simcoe. The family extends special thanks to Maria Pagdato, Nila Paraton, Linda Savelsbergh and Lucy Villanueva, who so devotedly cared for Vera; the Home Care Staff; Dr. Marnie Waters and nurse Tanis Olson; Jennifer Markham, O.T., Community Therapy Services; and all staff of E5 and Emergency, St. Boniface Hospital, for their professional and kind attention to Vera. Those who desire may make a contribution to The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, The Vera and Harold Korman Fund , Suite C400-123 Doncaster Street, Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B2. Telephone (204) 477-7525.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2005