ROSALIE GOLDSTEIN

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ROSALIE GOLDSTEIN Rosalie Goldstein died with the love of her family surrounding her on Saturday, December 25, 2011 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Canada. She was 73 years old. She will be remembered with total love and fondness by her husband, Martin Weidman, her children - Judith Weidman, Joshua Weidman, Joshua's wife, Amanda, Sydney Weidman and his partner Diane, her brother Jerome Goldstein and his partner Thomas Taylor, and by grandchildren Samara, Zoe, Maya, Emma, and Paul and by countless relatives, friends, and colleagues. Rosalie was born October 24, 1937 to Hyman and Mildred Goldstein in Niagara Falls, New York. She lived in Western New York attending Niagara Falls High School and the University of Buffalo where she matriculated in the Pharmacy School. Rosalie was married to Dr. Martin Lyon Weidman and spent the rest of her life as a proud and loyal resident of Winnipeg, Canada. At 23, only a few months after completing her degree in pharmacy, she left her family, got married and moved from Niagara Falls to Winnipeg, where her husband was the only person she knew. She did not falter, alone in a new city, but rather memorized the names of every person in her husband's very large extended family -- she actually made herself flash cards to help her keep them all straight -- and made friends with the new families around (many of whom she remains close to). She wrote her pharmacy board exams and became a Canadian citizen so that she could practice pharmacy in Winnipeg. Rosalie was an inspiration to those around her on many levels - personally, politically, artistically and culturally. She was a feminist before many in Winnipeg knew what feminism was. She enjoyed being different and a challenge to her new home in Winnipeg, always brandishing the latest, greatest, most colourful glasses to frame her thoughtful, perceptive eyes. Rosalie throughout her life in Winnipeg was devoted to her husband, Martin and her three children who came before all else in her life. She was an immensely proud life partner to Martin and mother to her children, yet maintained her independence and a strong sense of identity. Rosalie insisted that all the family be together at significant events involving any of her children or her husband, Martin. She bravely and proudly restored her birthname before it was common to do so. She helped to build the successful and internationally acclaimed Winnipeg Folk Festival, and remained passionately dedicated to the vibrant arts scene in Winnipeg whether it was to lend an ear to those who sought her wise counsel, or to write a letter to the Editor on an issue related to cultural policy. She could always be counted on to do the right thing, with an abundance of common sense, humility, and hard work. Rosalie was always ready to roll up her sleeves and get the job done regardless of the task at hand. She always looked forward, acting with determination and creativity to improve herself, her family and the larger community of which she was a part. She did not stop at 30 when she had settled into her life with her husband and three children. While working and raising her children she went back to university to take arts and economics courses. In the early 70s she worked for Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers as a business manager. She then joined the Winnipeg Folk Festival which became one of the great passions of her life and where she eventually rose to become the festival's Artistic Director in 1986. She helped to expand the festival's musical horizons by, among other things, bringing World Music to the Winnipeg Folk Festival stages, a change which has become part of her enduring artistic legacy there. After leaving the folk festival and until she died Rosalie remained active in arts communities across Canada and throughout the world. With resolve and persistence at the age of 60 and after a successful career in the arts community -- she went back to school to re-qualify as a pharmacist. As with all other things, she did it with pride and gusto. She continued to practice pharmacy for more than a decade after that. At the age of 72, she qualified to practice in the Virgin Islands with the thought of enjoying a working holiday there during the cold months. She was always thinking ahead. Rosalie Goldstein was a vibrant, thoughtful, opinionated, compassionate, and loving human being. She led a full, productive, and exciting life. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is now at rest with deserved, everlasting peace. Donations in Rosalie's memory may be made to the Rosalie Goldstein Memorial Women's Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba at 477-7525.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 22, 2011