ISOBELLA ( BELA) MICHAELLI NOVEMBER 1, FEBRUARY 19,

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ISOBELLA ( BELA) MICHAELLI NOVEMBER 1, 1914 FEBRUARY 19, 2006 Born Warsaw, Poland to parents Moise (Moses) Raczker and Machla Raczker, daughter of Golda Leah Cohen. Predeceased by her parents, sisters, Rose, Helen, Rasha, and brothers, Haskel, Bernard and Benyamin, all who died in Poland. Isobella had one daughter, Lilian Gal (Alex) who passed away in 2000, and one son, Mike Haken (Ruth) who currently lives in Toronto. She is survived by her son, beloved grandchildren, Gila Gal, Ron Gal (Rena) of Israel, John Gal of Toronto and great-grandchildren, Hila and Dorin in Israel. Isobella's father was born in a Stetle in Russia and her mother was born in Warsaw, Poland. They married in Warsaw and were blessed with seven children. Isobella loved her parents and siblings. They had a cultured upbringing. She loved the arts, the symphony, reading and sports. She especially loved to ski. Isobella helped keep the books for her father's grocery and deli business, and later got a bookkeeping job in the Jewish community. Isobella later married and had two children, but when Warsaw was being bombed, she and her family fled to Bella Ruse, Russia on September 7, 1939. She became separated from her family for months but by a miracle, she found her children. Isobella spent the remainder of the war in Russia. She had a hard time, but with quiet strength, she made a home for her children. A farm stable was their home. She made pillows from sugar bags stuffed with straw. She would walk miles for water with children in both arms and carry water back to the stable. In 1946, with no husband, she and her children made their way back to Warsaw to learn that she had no family left. Not only did she lose her immediate family, but she lost her aunts, uncles and cousins. Isobella salvaged what she could of her home and immediately went to work for the Jewish Nova Groska organization. She helped rehabilitate survivors from the camps and helped them to re-enter society. In 1959, Isobella and her children left Poland and emigrated to Israel. She went to night school and learned to speak Hebrew and then went to work for the government. While in Israel, she met her second husband, M. Kriener. She loved him very much but theirs was a short love story as he passed away at an early age. Again with quiet strength, in 1970 , Isobella moved to Toronto, Canada where she became a Canadian citizen. She said Canada was the best country in the world. She moved to Winnipeg in 1977, as she heard they had a large Jewish community. Isobella loved going to the Synagogue every Saturday and she loved to work at the golden age club, a senior centre. She said it was like her family that she lost in the war. I like the people and they made me happy and I would make them happy with my smile and my work. My friend, Philip Bell and I raised money for the club. I was the volunteer assistant treasurer and then became treasurer. As well as the Golden Age Club, she also was active in B'nai B'rith and organizations such as Habonim and JNF, Folklorama, Israeli pavilion and active in the Chana Senesh Chapter of Pioneer Women, Sharon Home and Gwen Sector Creative Living Centre, YMHA Stay Young, B'nai Abraham Synagogue Sisterhood, B'nai B'rith Hay Levich, Life Member National Council of Jewish women, Ort, Hadassah, and Shaarey Zedek Synagogue Member, including sisterhood. She also worked for the Red Cross, United Way, Salvation Army, Kidney Foundation. In her own words, she liked to give to non-jewish organizations as well. In later years, she loved to go to the symphony with the girls, Ollie Landega, Dianna Enns, Harriet Shore, Elizabeth Posen, Merle Macaulay, Shirley Diner, Kassie Mitchell-Leibl, Penny Rossman, and the late Faye Settler. I leave you with this message in Isobella's words: I like nature, I like people and I like to do for people. I find it enjoyable. This is my life. I get this from my parents who I remember and think about every day. This was giving. It is my heritage. This is who I am.. even in war time, I shared what I had with those who didn't have. I was a responsible citizen. I would like to leave my grandchildren and great-grandchildren my heritage and my legacy. I have worked and sacrificed all my life for people since my early childhood. Remember me in your hearts . Blessed are the people who take time to understand, who always can be counted on to lend a helping hand. Blessed are the people who have faith in God above, for they bless others every day with kindness and with love. She truly was a remarkable woman and we will miss her very, very much. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Victoria Hospital for their care, Adeena Lungen, Dianna Enns, her best friend, Ollie Landega, and lastly, Eileen Kehler and family. The funeral was held on February 21, at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 04, 2006