EVELYN (PETE) WIESENTHAL (STEIMAN)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EVELYN (PETE) WIESENTHAL (STEIMAN) Our mother -z'l- passed away December 29, 2010 in Vancouver after many years in which she repeatedly and courageously overcame serious illness. Funeral services were held in Winnipeg on January 3, 2011, at the Etz Chaim Synagogue and Evelyn was laid to rest at the Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery. Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Max Steiman, her brothers, Mannie, Sam and Hash (Harold), and her sisters, Esther and Sylvia. She leaves to mourn her husband, Joe and her children Benjie, Frayda (Amnon), Zeph, Ellen Ruth (Eyal), Anna-Mae (Andrew) and Alain (Moleigh), 11 grandchildren, her brother Kepi (Meyer) Steiman and many friends and relatives. The youngest of seven children, Evelyn was born in Winnipeg in 1922, in the family home at 135 Machray Ave. She lived in that home into the early part of her marriage. She attended Champlain and St. John's Tech schools and later she worked in her father's auction house prior to getting married. She married Joe in 1949 at Winnipeg's Royal Alexander Hotel and had six children to which she was selflessly devoted to raising, loving and fiercely supporting. Evelyn was always a loving and supportive wife and in due time she became a loving Bawbi. She worked hard all her life for the sake of her family, until illness prevented her from doing so. Evelyn was loyal, sincere, dependable, accepting, caring, modest, non-judgmental and had an enormous capacity for forgiveness. Quietly and with modesty she reached out to help friends and family in need, offering both material and emotional support while giving an attentive ear and sharing wisdom. Even through difficult times Evelyn was amazing in her ability to retain an optimistic, yet realistic outlook on life. Pete loved to laugh, cook, bake and read. Singing was something she did naturally as she went about her daily work around the house late into the evening. Not knowing the lyrics to the songs didn't stop her from replacing long forgotten words with la-la-la . Travel was always important to her, especially going to visit and support her children in Israel. She had an active interest in art and took up painting, pottery and stained glass. Pete had a great sense of humour and was fun to be with even when she mistook a can of Lysol for hairspray. Always the hospitable, warm and gracious hostess, her home was filled with the inviting aromas of her well-known kitchen. She took special enjoyment in hosting her family and friends at any opportunity to celebrate a life event or for the Jewish holiday meals or to sit for a cup of tea and a baked treat or two. Our mother brought so much love, laughter, friendship, warmth, kindness, song and good food to the lives of many. The aroma of Shabbat dinner was always smelled all the way from the street; at times it was the smell of her gefilte fish, her mother's chremsel or honey cake. Not being afraid to try new recipes, she never made a cake that a layer of icing and some jam couldn't fix. Evelyn spent the last three years of her life at the Louis Brier Residence in Vancouver, where she lived by her sister, Sylvia and close to two of her daughters. There she was known for her love of song, her sense of humour and her smile. The family is grateful to the staff and caregivers at the Louis Brier, and would like to give a special thank-you to Rose Villesco, whose loving companionship and devotion helped to brighten the final years of Mom's life. In memory of Evelyn, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Baruch Dayan HaEmet' May her memory always be a blessing and may her memory always be blessed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2011