SONIA (EVA) OSTRINSKY

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SONIA (EVA) OSTRINSKY June 26, 1926 - June 8, 2011 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother on the sixth day of Sivan, 5771. She was predeceased by her husband Max, her brother Harry Pukin and the rest of her extended family who all perished in the Holocaust. Sonia is survived by her children, Rita (Sheldon) Margolis, Libby (Arnold) Lazareck, Lloyd (Louise) Ostrinsky, Ruth Adelman and David (Sigal) Ostrinsky; and by her grand-children, Shelley, Simone (Leon) and Joshua Margolis, Jennifer and Lisa Lazareck, Michelle and Jaimie Adelman and Ori Ostrinsky. Sonia was born in Biljuge, Poland in 1926. At the young age of five, her mother died leaving her to be raised by her father and her three older brothers. In 1939 the Second World War broke out and she and her family were forced into a ghetto where they spent three and one half years until the ghetto was liquidated by the Nazis. Sonia was shot in the leg while she was running. She was fortunate enough to find her two brothers some days later and they, together with about 30 other people, hid in a small forest in Poland for the next two and one half years until the war ended. After liberation and more hardships, Sonia, her brother Harry, his wife Ida and her family made their way to a displaced persons camp in Germany. There she met and married Max and not long afterwards gave birth to a daughter Rita. In 1949 they followed Sonia's brother Harry and his family to Winnipeg where they had four more children. Sonia spent the next years raising her family while she tried to put the past behind her. She gave tirelessly of herself not only to her family but to her friends and even strangers. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She loved to celebrate all the Jewish holidays with her family and friends. She especially loved going for lunch or dinner with her grandchildren until her failing health would no longer allow it. She will be remembered by all who met her for her quick smile and her many stories. The family would like to thank Dr. Ruth Simkin for her ongoing care, as well as the wonderful doctors and nurses of 3rd floor South, Grace Hospital, for their compassion and care during our mother's and grandmother's last days. Services were held on Friday, June 10 at the Chesed Shel Emes with interment in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery. Pallbearers were Sheldon Margolis, Joshua Margolis, Leon Pincovich, Jaimie Adelman, Hartley Melamed and Gary Margolis. Donations may be made to the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Learning Centre or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 02, 2011