LILLIAN MATCHAN

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LILLIAN MATCHAN (nee SHULMAN) With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother on May 16, 2014 at the age of 91. The funeral was held at Congregation Etz Haim on May 20. Lil, the daughter of Bluma and Jacob Shulman, immigrated as a small child with her two siblings, Anne and Isaac and her parents from Popoisk, Russia, to Winnipeg. Lil grew up in the North End, and after graduating from high school, helped her family in the family grocery store. At 19, she met Red (Isadore) Matchan and after a short courtship, they married in 1942. Red first worked in the garment trade and later became an insurance underwriter. His success in this career enabled them to enjoy travelling all over the world. Their marriage was long and happy, until Red's death in 1999. She is survived by three daughters - Carol Novis (Ben), Judy Weidman (Russell) and Linda Matchan (the late David Israel); seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and several close nieces and nephews. Despite the distances, Lil's children and grandchildren had a close, loving relationship with her and were in constant contact. She was invariably supportive and encouraging. Lil easily made friends and had devoted friends of all ages. She had a gentle, warm, giving nature and was a popular presence at Shaftesbury Residence, where she spent her later years. Her strong intelligence remained unimpaired until the end; she used her computer to stay connected to her family, learned bridge in her late 80s, and maintained keen control of her business affairs. We express our appeciation to the staff of the Shaftesbury Residence for the warm and secure environment they provided. Donations in her memory can be made to the Lil and Red Memorial Fund at the Manitoba Jewish Foundation, 123 Doncaster St., # C-400 Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2014