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RACHEL CHAZAN Rachel Chazan was the kind of woman who appreciated her family, loved her grandchildren and was kind to everyone that she met. Born in Lithuania in 1916, she came from a large family, surrounded by loving parents and many brothers and sisters. She was an accomplished academic for that time in Eastern Europe having achieved the highest levels of pre-University schooling. The Second World War saw the loss of much of her family in the Holocaust. Being the resilient person that she was she survived labour camps and adversity and made her way to post war Italy where she met her husband. In Italy she gave birth to her first son Larry. A move followed to the United States where many challenges were to meet the new immigrants. As she did throughout her almost 84 years, she met those challenges with a smile and determination. Having overcome the adversities of war, she would prevail over lifes lesser obstacles. In 1951 a second son was born, Jacob, in the United States followed by a move to Winnipeg, Canada a few years later. She taught at the Winnipeg Hebrew School and is remembered for her abilities in the Hebrew language. Then the husband and wife team acquired the well known eating establishment in the North End called Grosneys, a Winnipeg landmark. It took her little time to bring her enthusiasm to bear as well as her ability to make the best gefilte fish, kishka and sandwiches in town. That restaurant on Selkirk Avenue became affectionately known as Mamales. It was with great disappointment that her adoring customers received the news in 1972 that it would close. McDonalds and Pizza Place had caused another casualty in the "fast food" wars, hamburgers and pizza ruled as the steadfast corned beef sandwich was defeated as the mainstay of fast food on many a Saturday night and Grey Cup Game. Above all Rachel Chazan will be remembered always for her kindness and devotion. She will be remembered by her two sons for whom she toiled without complaint and who thanks to her became menchen, nephews and grandchildren for whom she showed never-ending generosity and for good deeds for such organizations as Pioneer Women Naamat. She displayed the same vitality for her charity works and for Israel as she did for her family, unselfish and cheerful to the end. Her memory will be cherished by those of us who survive her, her two sons, Larry and Jake; her daughters-in-law, Joan, Ella and Penny; her grandchildren, Jennifer and Kate; her brothers, sister, nephews and nieces and all those whose life she touched. Her husband, Urcio, predeceased her. A grave side service is to be held for Rachel at 10:00 a.m. at the Rosh Pina Memorial Park, on Wednesday, November 3, 1999.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 1999
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Sixteen years have passed since this obituary was written for Rachel, my mother. I thought that with the passage of time I would add a few comments. Since this was written in 1999, much has changed. I miss my parents, my mother. I miss having the opportunity to talk to them and sharing their wisdom. I miss be able to talk to them for advice. As I get older I have come to understand how wise they were. The wisdom came the hard way, from lifelong learning and experience, not from books. Unfortunately, when we are younger we don't realize how quite dumb we are. So here are some belated thoughts for people who are missed and cannot be replaced. And my thanks for finally having come to understand what a loss it is when our parents are gone. And how dumb we are for not taking advantage of their wisdom while they are still alive. - Posted by: Jake Chazan (Son) on: Jan 09, 2016