MOLLY KOWALSON

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MOLLY KOWALSON (SARBIT) Peacefully, and with dignity, on November 23, 2015 our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. Known affectionately as Baba Molly, she led an honourable, full, and productive life during which she taught her family the values of hard work, honesty, and devotion to one another. Born September 15, 1917 to Jacob and Goldie Sarbit, she grew up in the small town of Selkirk, Manitoba. She left school after completing a grade eight education in order to work in the family grocery business. Several years later when her mother opened a dry goods store, a young man named Sam Kowalson was hired to manage the store. This eventually culminated into a romantic relationship between Molly and Sam which led to a marriage that lasted 42 years and produced two children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Molly was a feisty, intelligent, and compassionate woman whose raison d'etre was her family. She did not suffer fools gladly and never shrunk from offering advice to family members regardless of whether they wanted to hear it. With the passage of time, however, her family came to appreciate the values she imparted to us. Molly was predeceased by her parents Goldie and Jacob, her husband Samuel in 1980, her beloved daughter Lois in 2001, her sister Sylvia Cohen of Los Angeles, and brothers Dr. Samuel Sarbit, Sydney Sarbit, and Nathan Sarbit of Winnipeg. Left to cherish her memory is her son Aaron Kowalson (Margaret), grandchildren: Adrienne Douglas (Brian), Judi Shuster (Joel), Jeffrey Greenberg, Alan Greenberg (Tara), Michael Kowalson (Alix), Joshua Kowalson (Karen), and Daniel Kowalson. She is also survived by nine great-grandchildren: Samuel and Baillie Shuster, Matthew Douglas, Zachary and Gabi Greenberg, Amira and Simon Kowalson, Garrey Kowalson, and Chloe Greenberg. The family would like to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Cavers and the nursing staff of Victoria General Hospital 5 South. Baba, your family loves you and will honour your legacy. We feel blessed to have had you in our lives. Donations can be made to the Sam and Molly Kowalson Fund, care of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2015