ANN RUTH TORCHINSKY (SIDEMAN)

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ANN RUTH TORCHINSKY
(nee SIDEMAN)

Peacefully, and with her family by her side, after a lengthy battle with dementia, our dear mother passed away at the age of 84 on September 12, 2022.
Ann is survived by her children, Lindae, Elaine, Paul (Veronica) and Marc (Sherry); her grandchildren, Alex, Elizabeth, Justin, Chyanne, Hannah, and Sophia; and her great-granddaughter Nevaeh.
Ann was predeceased by her husband of 55 years and the love of her life, Murray, in 2015. Ann was also predeceased by her loving parents, Beelee and Morris Sideman.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on December 29, 1937, an only child, she spent her early years growing up in Langenburg, Saskatchewan where her parents were the proprietors of the general store. Longing for the "city life" and the experience of a larger Jewish community, she moved to Winnipeg as a teenager where she lived with her aunt and uncle, Daisy and Moe Marr. Soon after graduating from St. John's High School, destiny would find her living in a boarding house owned by Murray's aunt Mary. There, in 1959, the two met. The rest, as they say, is history, and in 1960, Ann and Murray were married.
Before marriage, Ann worked for a time at the Health Sciences Centre in the payroll department. Once married, and when children came along, Ann fully embraced the role of "homemaker." She often recounted how much she loved being at home and the privilege it was to raise her children. As the years progressed, and when the children got older, Ann took on a job at the Winnipeg Free Press where she worked for many years until her retirement at the age of 55.
In her spare time, Ann loved to garden. In some ways, she was an amateur botanist. Ann could describe in detail just about any plant and flower she came across. In addition to having a green thumb, Ann enjoyed listening to classical music, was an avid reader, and loved travelling in her later years to Palm Springs to spend time with her aunt and uncle.
Of course, after all the tsouris her children brought, Ann particularly delighted in her grandchildren. Every opportunity to attend a hockey or soccer game, swimming tournament, or special event was taken. The family home in Garden City was the meeting place for all. There, every birthday, every special celebration, Chanukah, Passover, Shabbat, and weekend BBQ dinners, Ann worked tirelessly to make all feel welcome. The dining room table was a delight for the eyes and the senses. It was always a time where family and friends alike shared in the best hospitality and some good ole banter.
Despite the affects of dementia on her personality in her later years, Ann will always be remembered for being a fiercely independent woman who wasn't afraid to offer her perspective on things. Creative, honest, respectful, and caring, Ann loved her family and her friends.
The immediate family would like to give thanks for the exceptional care, compassion, and professionalism of the Weinberg 2 staff at Winnipeg's Simkin Centre, especially during Ann's final days.
Graveside funeral was held September 14, 2022 at the Hebrew Sick Beneficiary Cemetery in Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 17, 2022