MOLLY RABER

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MOLLY RABER Molly passed away peacefully at the age of 99 at the Simkin Centre on November 4, 2004, surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren. Molly was predeceased by her husband Joseph and her son-in-law Paul Silver. She is survived by her daughters, Nessie Greenberg (David) and Clarice Silver (partner Syd Bercovich) and her grandchildren, Brooke Allen, Wayne Silver (Nava), Randy Mellon (Richard), Jeffrey Silver (Diana Toth) and her great-grandchildren, Lauren, Joey and Alexis Silver and Carly and Hailey Mellon. Molly came to Canada from Selisht (Ludwipol), Poland in 1924. She married Joseph Raber in 1932. Their home was always open to friends and family and no one went hungry! Mollys cooking skills were inherited by her daughters and granddaughters and they duplicate her recipes in their homes. She left a legacy for her grandchildren of a home filled with friends and family. It is a testament to her that we are such a close family and that we were all around her in her final hour. She enjoyed her many trips with Joe, and her friends were a very important part of her life. She spent winters with friends in Hawaii and Palm Springs and her grandchildren have fond memories of times spent with their grandparents on these vacations. Molly was an avid Mah Jong player and continued to play at both the Simkin and Asper Centres until shortly before her passing. She was a determined and tenacious woman, assertive in nature, and she shone in social situations when surrounded by younger friends. Her sense of humour always brought laughter to everyone. Molly faced challenges in life but never let her disabilities overcome her inner strength. Her love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was ever evident in her shining eyes and they continued to travel to visit her until her death. She was our Matriarch and leaves us a legacy of love and devotion. Molly developed a wonderful friendship with her companion, Maria Szmilek. Her kindness, compassion and love for Molly were a blessing our family will always cherish. We would like to thank the staff at the Simkin Centre, Star of David Nursing Station and especially Carol, Mia and Helen for the wonderful care and support they showered on our mother. Services were held at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Friday, November 5. Pallbearers were David Greenberg, Syd Bercovich, Richard Mellon, Jeffrey Silver, Wayne Silver and Chaim Raber. Honourary pallbearers were Sonny Raber, Sonny Epstein, Morris Gardner and David Rosenbaum. If so desired, donations can be made to the Molly and Joe Raber Fund at the Jewish Foundation or a charity of choice. Her grandchildren like to think that their Baba is in a better place now, one that unites her with her husband, Zaida Joe and her beloved son-in-law Paul. She told her family that they would be in heaven waiting for her. Her grandchildrens final farewell was, "Go peacefully Baba, and give Zaida and Daddy a kiss for us. We love you and well miss you dearly."

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 2004