RITA HERSHFIELD

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RITA HERSHFIELD On July 15, 2007 one week before her 90th birthday, Rita Hershfield passed away at the Louis Brier Home in Vancouver, BC. Funeral services were held on July 18, 2007 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg with interment at the Rosh Pina Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jay Hershfield, Phil Moharib, Shaun Katz, Jack Katz, Joey Offerman and Michael Offerman. Honorary pallbearers were Morley Buckwold, Earl Hershfield, Bill Buckwold and Jerry Shore. Rita was born in Winnipeg and raised with seven brothers and sisters at their home on Flora and Salter near the family bakery. Buckwold's Bakery was a landmark in its day before selling many of its recipes to City Bread on the death of Rita's father Victor. Rita was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years Nathan Hershfield and by four siblings Ephriam, Sidney and Kievie Buckwold and Paula Shore. She is survived by her daughter Maxine Zalkow of Vancouver and her son the Honourable Justice Joe E. Hershfield (Fern) presently residing in Ottawa; her four grandchildren, Andy Zalkow of Phoenix, Vivian Zalkow (David Gomberoff) of Vancouver, Jay Hershfield (Leslie) of Toronto and Lauren Hershfield (Phil Moharib) of Winnipeg and by four great-grandchildren, Nicholas Zalkow of Phoenix, Ally and Camille Gomberoff of Vancouver and Nathan Hershfield of Toronto and as well by brothers, Morley who lives in Vancouver and Itzack who lives in Israel and by her sister Audrey Halper who lives in Maryland. Rita married Nathan Hershfield on July 14, 1940 and together they raised their two children in Winnipeg. Her husband died in 1991 and after her son moved to Ottawa in 2000 Rita moved to Vancouver to be cared for by her daughter. Rita was a loving and giving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who took great pride in her family particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren from whom she derived great joy and comfort. Her life evolved around family. Caring, nurturing and encouraging, the safety net she cast went beyond the immediate family. She was a woman of faith who never faltered. Lesson of tolerance and understanding and the importance of education were not preached - they were lived. Rita had a determination that set her apart - going back to school in her late 60s and even into her 70s taking university courses in the humanities. Self-help literature and motivational notes were found around the house for as long as her children can remember. She prided herself as a tomboy in her school days and her love of sport continued, taking up golf later in life winning Senior Woman's Club Championships at Glendale. She was a regular at the gym and swimming pool outdoing many half her age well into her 80s. Her social life was dominated by playing bridge and dancing - she absolutely loved to dance - with a smile that radiated. Indeed the natural warmth of Rita was very much in her smile. Even in her last days, the staff of the Louis Brier and Weinberg residences all remarked how much they loved Rita's smile. She warmed people with it. It was an enchanting smile reflecting the beautiful person behind it. She will be dearly missed. Many thanks to family in Vancouver whose visits lifted Rita's spirits and to the caring and loving staff at the Louis Brier Special Care Unit, and to her companions, who saw to her needs during her last days. Donations in Rita's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, The Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver) or other charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2007