IDA GILLMAN

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IDA GILLMAN Ida Gillman passed away peacefully at age 93 on January 8, 2006, at the Sharon Home, Simkin Centre, Winnipeg. Daughter of Morris and Sarah Weinstein, she was the last living survivor of her generation, the last remaining sibling of a family of six children. Ida was predeceased by her husband Maurice (1998), and her siblings Rosie (Shapiro), Lily (Coodin), Bella (Lerner), Simon, and Joe. She leaves her three sons and their wives, Arthur and Louise, Alec and Evelyn, Tom and Heather; eight grandchildren, Susan (Tal Kayesar), Avery, Jeffrey, Grant, Marcia (Michael Flinker), Rhonda, Mark, and Andrea; and eight great-grandchildren. Ida was born in Poland in 1912, emigrating to Canada in 1921. Growing up in a small Polish village was difficult. Knowing the family's future was not in Poland, her father made his way to Canada to seek work, hoping to bring his family to Canada one day. Her mother supported the family by operating a tiny general store. Eventually, the family fled Poland with little more than the clothes on their backs, beginning a long journey to Canada. After many years of being far apart, the family was finally reunited again in Winnipeg. In 1933, Ida married Maurice Gillman in a marriage that lasted more than 65 years. Ida and Maurice loved each other very much, were inseparable, and did everything together. After the three boys grew up, got married and left home, mom began helping our dad in his work, embarking on a new career that lasted over 30 years. Mom loved the people contact that her job brought her, as she was truly a people person who wanted to know and help others. For many years as we were growing up, our mother volunteered for many community organizations. We learned the importance of helping others by watching and helping our mother in this charitable work. Throughout her life her children's needs were her top priority, although we didn't always understand or appreciate this at the time. She was not afraid to let her children do whatever they felt strongly about. Our mom was a person who really cared about everyone. Others were always her first concern, she was last. In later years, with the addition of daughters-in-law and grandchildren, mom would make a weekly Sunday night dinner for everyone. We will always remember the delicious foods that only our mother could prepare, and the wonderful family times together. Ida spent her last several years at the Simkin Centre. Sincere thanks to the entire Simkin Centre staff, especially to nurses Jane and Trifona. Special thanks to Marciana Jimeno, Ida's daily companion, for her endless patience and compassion. Funeral services were held at Etz Chayim Synagogue, Winnipeg, on January 12, with Rabbis Balser and Weizman officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons Jeff and Mark, as well as Allan Fineblit, Arch Honigman, Saul London, and Sigi Wasserman. Donations in Ida's memory can be made to the Sharon Home, or to the charity of your choice. Ida's legacy lives on through her three children, her eight grandchildren, and her eight great-grandchildren. Love of family, togetherness, and concern for others were her top priorities. Each of us will carry an important part of her with us forever. She is a part of who we are, and how we are. In various ways, her basic values have become some of our basic values. Our mother has done more in her lifetime for all of us, than we could ever hope to have done for her. That is a mother's love; something that truly knows no equal.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2006