EDITH TENENBEIN (KIVES)

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EDITH TENENBEIN (nee KIVES) Peacefully with family by her side, Edith Tenenbein passed away on November 19, 2005 at the age of 89 years. She truly loved and embraced life, never losing that twinkle in her eye. She had enormous energy and a great sense of humour. She was charming, graceful and dignified. Edith was a longtime member of ORT, an avid mahjongg and bridge player, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than hosting countless functions, dinner parties and family gatherings. Her essence was one of selflessness. She cared so deeply about others and expressed that love in her cooking, her friendships, her family and her indomitable spirit. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and always put her children first. The word no did not exist in her vocabulary. Life was not easy for her, but she had tremendous strength, perseverance and courage. Edith was born on April 25, 1916 in Turkey. At the age of nine, her family immigrated to Canada and settled in a Jewish agricultural colony in Sonnenfeld in eastern Saskatchewan. Life was difficult, particularly during the years of the Great Depression, an experience that left an indelible impression on Edith. She understood the value of hard work for the rest of her life. As a teenager, she was an avid horse rider and fondly remembered her horse Rosie. She enjoyed sharing stories of those years with her grandchildren. Edith and her family eventually relocated to Winnipeg. Edith met Alex Tenenbein in 1941 and they married on August 2, 1942 and spent the next 42 years together until Alex's untimely death in 1984. Edith and Alex worked side-by-side for more than two decades in their store, Family Grocery making it a resounding success. The store, located on the corner of Sargent Avenue and Young Street was a favourite in the neighbourhood and Edith and Alex were adored by all of their customers. Edith is survived by her children, Aaron (Marian), Milton (Brenda), Rochelle and Angie (Allan); her grandchildren, Rebecca, Sara and Alexander Tenenbein; Burton, Paul, Marshall and Rachel Tenenbein; and Alexander and Mia Levine; her brother Joe and sister-in-law Claire Kives; and her brother David and sister-in-law Margarite Kives. She was predeceased by her husband Alex Tenenbein; her parents, Moishe and Ruchel Kives; and her brothers, Ruben and Max Kives. Edith was honoured at her funeral at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Cemetery on November 21 by pallbearers, Burton Tenenbein, Paul Tenenbein, Marshall Tenenbein, Alexander Tenenbein, Allan Levine, Alexander Levine and David Kives. Honorary pallbearer was Edward Greenberg. A special thank you to the staff of the Misericordia Place Personal Care Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish National Fund.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 26, 2005