SALLY STERN (WALSH)

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SALLY STERN (nee WALSH) Born on September 1, 1907 in the village of Bobrovikut, Russia, a Jewish village on the Nepe River, near the Black Sea. Bobrovikut in Russian means Beaver's Corner. Both her father Phillip and her mother Faigel (nee Mastitz) were also born there. In 1911, her father Phillip, with the assistance of his family, migrated to Canada where he took up residence in West Kildonan, and worked as a deliverer of milk. Sally's mother, Faigel, came to Canada in 1912 via England and Halifax, with her two daughters Sally and Betty. At their home, they had two cows and a horse. It was there that some of Sally's brothers, including her remaining brother Harry, were born. In 1917, the family moved to Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg. Sally attended King Edward School, Isaac Newton School and Normal School, where she became accomplished in shorthand. After school, she applied to the T. Eaton Co. where she became a secretary and was able to help support her family as her father had died in 1928. In 1935, Sally married Sam Stern and moved to Raymore, Saskatchewan, where they lived for 18 years. During that time, they had two daughters and a son. They were active in the community owning a general store and then auto and farm dealerships. They were also surrounded by brothers and cousins from both sides of the family. In 1953, they moved back to Winnipeg, which Sally had always thought was the best place in the world. Sam acquired and ran a car dealership on Main St. Sally was busy raising her family and participating in various organizations - most especially the Lillian Freeman Chapter of Hadassah. Sally was a very articulate, loving person who had strong ideas of what was right or wrong - which she applied to her own life. She saw a lot of history over her 102 2/3 years of life and had a large number of friends and family. Until her last days, she had an acute interest in the people and world around her. She was predeceased by her younger siblings Betty Tabachnick, Esther Walsh, Ernie Walsh, Perry Walsh and Sam Walsh. She also painfully lost her daughters, Sharon and Veelia, when they were very young. Her husband Sam predeceased her over 40 years ago. Because of the loving care she received from Rita Stevenson and her husband John Katona, Kim Mink and other care givers, as well as her doctor Wayne Manishen, Sally was able to remain comfortably in her apartment until her death. Sally is survived by her son Ronald Stern, daughter-in-law Janet and grandchildren Cylena and Pauline. She is also survived by her brother, Harry Walsh, as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces from the Walsh and Stern families. The funeral took place at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Pallbearers were Matthew Hirtle, John Katona, Harvey Secter, Marvin Shenkarow, Bob Silver, Allen Stern, Morris Stern and Paul Walsh. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2010