BETH SIMKIN

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BETH SIMKIN With her family by her side, Beth Simkin, age 90, passed away on March 13 at the Health Sciences Centre. She was predeceased by her husband Rubin, by her parents Sara and Loeb, and her sister Goldie. Beth is lovingly remembered by her children Mark (Zoe) Simkin, Marim (Joel) Brass, Joel Simkin and Ruth Simkin; her grandchildren Sarah, Aaron, Adam, Simon, Rachel, Ben, and Rebecca, and her great-grandson, Sam. Beth grew up in the North End of Winnipeg and was educated at St. John's High School. She later attended the University of Manitoba, where she completed a Double Honours Bachelors degree in English and French, followed by a Masters in economics from the University of Toronto. When her children were in their teens, Beth returned to university to complete a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Beth was a tremendously passionate, energetic and intelligent woman. She had a keen sense of observation and a dry sense of humour. She responded with great intensity to the world around her, and found enormous enjoyment in pleasures large and small. Beth had a wonderful talent for friendship, and took great interest in the lives of her many friends, offering support and encouragement through good times and bad. As the daughter of old friends said of Beth, she was interested in everything and everyone in a fully engaged way . Beth remained close to childhood friends, and to colleagues from her time spent working at the National Film Board, and serving on the Board of Governors of the University of Manitoba, and the University Grants Commission. She also developed close friendships with her friends' children, and her children's friends, with her husband's colleagues and their wives, and with her neighbours. Whenever she traveled, she returned home with new friends to correspond with, and hopefully to meet again on her next trip. Beth traveled extensively, and intrepidly, following her passions. In addition to numerous trips to Europe, including extended stays in Paris and Cannes, there were trips to China and Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, hiking in Israel with kids her grandchildren's age, and trekking in the Himalayas, (when she was almost seventy years old!) No matter where she was, Beth walked faster, and saw more, than seemed humanly possible. After each trip Beth returned to her house on Matheson Avenue. Beth's house, where she lived for almost fifty years, was her pride and joy. It was beautiful, furnished with simplicity, elegance, and taste; everything it contained was chosen with love and discernment. Beth also spent many summers at Spruce Lake, reading, listening to music, sitting on the deck watching sunsets over the lake, and visiting with friends. Beth's baking, in particular her pies, cakes, peanut butter cookies, and her delicious knishes, was justly celebrated. Beth read voraciously, often returning to her great favourites, Jane Austen and George Eliot. She loved music, especially chamber music, and most of all, the human voice and the art song, For Beth, the greatness of this music demanded that it be played at a volume that could be heard several blocks away. Beth was also devoted to her pets, particularly her last beagle, Tripper, and later, her cat Sam, both of whom she over-indulged. Beth was a free spirit in many ways--cultured, discerning, intellectually curious, but also funny and playful, someone who seized the day and had a boundless appreciation of life. These last few years her memory declined, but her use of language was undiminished, full of word play, wit, and humour. Beth hated fuss, sentimentality and pomposity, and she was especially uncomfortable when being complimented or praised. On the other hand, she had tremendous force of will. She was a person of very strong convictions, a passionate believer in social justice, a very intelligent, independent, compassionate, and feisty woman. Funeral services were held on March 16, 2008 at the Etz Chayim Synagogue with interment at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery officiated by Rabbi Larry Lander. Pallbearers were Alex Arenson, Joel Brass, Jay Buchanan, Ben Carr, Neil Cristall, and Ken Goldstein. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Sharon Home, to Beth's companions Jenny and Gloria, and to the staff of D2 ward and the Internal Medicine Service at the Health Sciences Centre, for their love, care and compassion. The family also wishes to thank Harold Wolch, Beth's good friend at the Sharon Home. The family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 05, 2008