SHELLEY MALKIN (THOMSON)

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SHELLEY MALKIN (nee THOMSON) On Tuesday, January 4, 2000, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer, Shelley Malkin passed on. Throughout her lifetime, Shelley sent rays of warmth toward an endless number of people continually surrounding her, like the sum casting beams of light toward all stars in its path. Always at the center of Shelleys life and bringing her the most joy was her family. For more than 40 years Shelley shared a loving and supportive relationship with husband Murray; equally important to her were daughters, Alissa Malkin (George Foster) of Ottawa and Leslie Malkin of Winnipeg. Also bringing much happiness into her life were grandsons Daniel and Benjamin Foster, brother Malcolm Thomson (Barbara Thomson) of New York, sister-in-law Eleanor Perry (Victor Perry) of Vancouver and mother-in-law Minnie Lewis of Vancouver. Shelley spent the majority of her life in Winnipeg where she was born and raised, marrying Murray in 1961 and later raising their daughters together with him. She built a lifetime worth of loyal and solid friendships in Winnipeg, which she maintained and nurtured over the years. Even after moving to Kelowna, B.C. with Murray in 1995, she took great care and made enormous efforts to stay connected to those friends. Shelleys commitment to and fondness for people also extended to her professional and volunteer activities. A strong advocate for the rights and dignities of people living with physical disabilities, Shelley was a consistent support to Winnipegs disabled community. For decades she showed her sensitivity and devotion to that community through her teaching at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Social Work and her professional and volunteer work with the Canadian Paraplegic Association. After moving to Kelowna, Shelley dedicated herself to the Okanagan Jewish community, with which she was active on the executive and also chaired a number of meaningful projects. As well, she volunteered as a docent with the Kelowna Art Gallery, pointing to another lifelong trend in her life - a consistent love for all cultural arts. And, not surprisingly, she built a second lifetime worth of close and tender friendships in only a few short years. Shelleys elegance, charm, charisma and vitality will be deeply missed by her loving family and many many friends spread across the world. Shelleys family thanks Dr. Marjorie Docherty, the Kelowna General Hospital and the Cancer Center for the Southern Interior for their dedication to and concern for her care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the B.C. Cancer Foundation (Kelowna), 399 Royal Ave., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 5L3 or the Okanagan Jewish Community, 102 N. Glenmore Rd., Kelowna, B.C. V1V 2E2. Services will be held at the Okanagan Jewish Community on Friday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. Officiated by Sam Larry. Interment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Eulogy by Mr. Sandy Dore. Pallbearers, George Foster, Victor Perry, Jeff Diamond, Morris Lank, Martin Lank, David Frankel. Honorary pallbearers, Ted and Gail Hechter, Debbie Larry, Joel Yanow, Tim Spiegel. Arrangements in care of Days Garden Chapel, Kelowna, B.C., telephone 1-250-762-3040.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2000