RIVKE (REGINA) FLEISHER

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RIVKE (REGINA) FLEISHER Rivke Fleisher died peacefully on February 10, 2007 (corresponding to the 22nd in Shevat, 5767) at the Sharon Home. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Miriam, her son William (Doreen), her grandchildren, Gideon, Raisa (both in Holland), Zachary and Benjamin, as well as extended family in Israel. She was predeceased by her husband Simcha (Sam) (z l), her son Frank (z l), and over 140 relatives who perished in the Holocaust. She was born in Daleshova, Ukraine (formerly part of Austria and Poland). Early in her life, she lost her father, who died in the First World War as an Austrian cavalry officer. She was raised (along with her sister Fruma) by her mother Raisa, and achieved both a secular high school as well as a Jewish education. She married Simcha in January, 1937, and they began a successful business of owning and operating a flour mill in Poland. Her life was irrevocably transformed by the events of the Second World War, when she had to give up her daughter to a Roman Catholic cloister before being imprisoned in a forced labour camp at Holochinitz. She miraculously managed to escape the slaughter of the labourers and virtually her whole family, and was later reunited with her daughter as well as her husband, who had unbeknownst to her escaped the extermination at the labour camp as well. She and her family lived a further three years in Poland before the family immigrated to Canada in 1948. In spite of problems she experienced arising from the war, she strove to establish a new home in Winnipeg. She was dedicated to her children, and often volunteered for their Jewish school functions. She remained a devout woman, and enjoyed reading, gardening and trips abroad to visit her remaining family. She valued the spiritual life and the pursuit of education, and lived a simple and humble life. In her latter years, she derived much pleasure from her grandchildren and their visits. Our thanks go out to the staff of the Sharon Home for the compassionate care they provided to her. Further thanks to Rabbi Balser for his spiritual support. Funeral services were held on February 12, 2007 at the Congregation Etz Chayim, with interment at the B'nay Abraham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honour to the Jewish Federation's Endowment, in the name of the Rivke Fleisher Memorial Holocaust Awareness Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (477-7525 or online www.jewishfoundation.org) or to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 17, 2007