MARCIA MELTZER

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MARCIA MELTZER 1922 - 2013 Marcia Meltzer, beloved wife of Mendle (deceased) peacefully passed away on July 25 at the age of 90. She leaves to mourn her sons Charles (Juanita) and Marvin (Ruth), her daughter Sheila Fox (Arthur), grandchildren Brent (Ayelet), David (Dana), Steven, Randi (Michael), Nina (Marty), Jacqui, Aaren and Alex and great-grandchildren Anna and Simon. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Mom grew up in a traditional North End Jewish home, loved and protected by her brothers Sam, Max, "Spud" and Rubin. Sadly, the passing of Mom represents the end of an era. Mom attended St. John's High School and while her formal education ended there, her quest for knowledge continued for the rest of her life. Mom was a voracious reader of books. A week didn't go by where first Dad, then her kids and ultimately her grandchildren took turns driving her to the library. She never met a crossword puzzle she couldn't defeat and was always up to discussing worldly news events, as well as the goings-on of the Jets and the Bombers; whose broadcasts she rarely missed. While in university in Saint John, New Brunswick, Dad, through his involvement in Young Judea, saw a picture of Mom and began corresponding with her. Seven years later Dad came to Winnipeg and two days later they were engaged. They were married on December 30, 1945 and for 63 years remained totally committed and devoted to each other, to their children and to their grandchildren. Mom had two basic goals in life. To be a strong supporting wife for our dad and to be an incredible mother to her children and ultimately her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a modern version of an "old fashioned" Jewish Mother, committed to running the home, and to this end she was tremendously successful. Wonderful home cooked meals and desserts, always eaten together as a family, was the norm. Friday Night Shabbat dinner was the highlight of the week, and featured as much joking and teasing of each other as Mom could tolerate. These traditions continued on as Ruth, Arthur, Juanita and finally the grandchildren joined the fold. As Mom and Dad got older, this family togetherness carried on into our individual homes, with them taking turns at each other's dinner tables. Mom's greatest fears in life was that her family would not get along. The love we witnessed her showing her brothers and Dad, and the lessons she taught us about understanding, tolerance and forgiveness, along with the strong family values that she instilled in us has guaranteed that her dream of a close family will remain intact forever. Mom cared dearly about her friends. These longtime friends provided her with one of her few diversions from her responsibilities as the Family Matriarch. From Mahjong, to bowling, to bridge, to travel and to parties that were known to "cross the line and back again", Mom and Dad remained close forever with their group of friends. Mom was a fighter who always rose to the occasion. When she developed cancer at the same time Dad developed Alzheimer's, she would not hear of him going into a home and fought both battles at the same time. She fought up to the last day of her life and we believe that she made the choice that 90 years and nine months was enough. Our family would like to thank Shouren Bose, as well as the staff at the Portsmouth for the compassionate care and extraordinary support. Mom in your quiet way we all knew that you were there for us, supporting, caring, and a guiding light. You will always be with us and all we need to do is just turn inward to find your spirit for you to continue in that role. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, Sunday, July 28, officiated by Bill Weissmann. Pallbearers were David Fox, Steven Meltzer, Alex Wiebe, Charles Duboff and Vittorio Rossi.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 17, 2013