LORRAINE BROWNSTONE

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LORRAINE BROWNSTONE March 26, 1921 - September 8, 2016 Lorraine Brownstone passed away suddenly, after a brief illness, on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 95. She will be sadly missed, especially by her son Daniel Brownstone; daughters Susan Brock (Tom), and Rochelle Rabinovitz (the late Mervyn); granddaughters Zoey (Daniel Borsuk), Deanna (Lonn Shulkin), and Maggie Rabinovitz; great-grandchildren Micah, Jonah, Miles and Dylan; sister-in-law Doreen Brownstone; brother-in-law Buddy Brownstone (Maxine); her many nieces and nephews, and her very dear, long time close friends at the Shaftesbury. Lorraine was predeceased by her husband Jack Brownstone; parents, Sam and Ida Croll; sisters Dr. Diane Croll and Esther Lerner (Dr. Ross), sisters-in-law Faye Settler (Bert), Malca Ross (Eli), and brother-in-law Billy Brownstone. Lorraine was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on March 26, 1921 where her parents had established their business, Croll's Department Store. The youngest of three daughters, Lorraine thrived in school and in sports. When Lorraine was 11 years old, her father died unexpectedly after returning from a trip to Russia. A year later, her mother sold the store and moved the family to Winnipeg, where Lorraine started grade 7 at Burks School, and shortly after skipped to grade 8. After attending Luxton School where she was valedictorian, Lorraine attended St. John's High School and then the University of Manitoba. She was always active, often biking from north Winnipeg to Assiniboine Park, walking long distances to school, and later, excelling at fencing in university. When the war broke out, Lorraine attended Success Business School where she became proficient in shorthand and typing skills. With her wonderful poised manner, Lorraine obtained secretarial positions with the President of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange, and Dr. Paul Thorlakson at the Winnipeg Clinic. She married her husband Jack in August 1944, while he was in the RCAF, and together they created a loving home for their three children. Lorraine became active in Hadassah and co-chaired the popular annual Hadassah Bazaar. Together, Lorraine and Jack developed a large circle of friends, who joined them in acquiring cottages at Falcon Lake, and later when they took up residency in Palm Springs upon Jack's retirement, spending their summers back in Winnipeg. In addition to being a master bridge player, she enjoyed golf, tennis and swimming well into her senior years. After experiencing the sudden loss of her father, Lorraine developed an inner strength and resilience. She acquired a practical approach to life along with having her own style of elegance and modesty. She was always interested in people and was a compassionate listener and dispenser of sound advise, whether it was to her husband Jack about his business, or family and friends about relationships and life challenges. As a mother and grandmother she passed on great values, with one of her special sayings "if you're having nice thoughts about someone, tell them now...later might be too late". After celebrating 65 years of marriage, her husband Jack passed away in Palm Springs in April 2009, at which time Lorraine returned back to Winnipeg to reside permanently, with the help and care of her son Daniel. In 2012 Lorraine moved into the Shaftesbury Retirement Residence where she shared four enjoyable years with many old and new friends. She maintained her curiosity and interest in the people she met there, and enjoyed learning their life stories. She was known for her skill as an excellent bridge player, but above all she was appreciated for her warmth, her wonderful smile, and natural social grace, as she greeted people sitting in her favourite winged chair in the foyer, or visiting in the Bistro. Funeral services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, on Sunday, September 11 at 11:00 a.m. Our family thanks the staff at the Shaftesbury for the kindness and attention to our mother, with special thanks to nurse Jan, Ester and her home care aides, and Rabbi Alan Green for his most thoughtful, compassionate eulogy and service. Donations in memory of Lorraine may be made to your charity of choice, with much appreciation. Notification may be sent to her son Daniel in Winnipeg, at 20 Blackburn Lane, R3P 2C2 or dan.brownstone@yahoo.com
Publish Date: Sep 17, 2016

LORRAINE BROWNSTONE Lorraine Brownstone passed away peacefully on September 8, 2016 at the age of 95. A graveside funeral service will be held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery, Main St. and Armstrong Ave. (area 2, section K, row 5, plot 3) at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 11. Reception to follow at 12:30 p.m. at Shaftesbury Retirement Residence, 905 Shaftesbury Blvd. A longer obituary to follow.

Publish Date: Sep 10, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 17, 2016