SELMA SHEARER

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SELMA SHEARER Peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, Selma Shearer (Levin), at the age of 88, passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Leo, her daughters, Shelley Shearer-Nelko (Dana), Dr. Ronna Sherman (Joel) and Dr. Brenna Shearer (Stephen). She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Lindsay (David), Riley, Lana, Remy, Hayden, Joshua, Mara, Amy and Sam, as well as her sister-in-law Shirley, nieces, nephew and great-nephews and nieces. Selma was predeceased by her parents, Joe and Anne Levin and her sister Ruth Neiman. Selma was born above her father's grocery store in an area of Winnipeg called Weston, south of the CP Railway yards. The family moved to Bannerman Avenue when she was a young girl. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.A. Selma worked with her father as a bookkeeper in his Chrysler car dealership, which was the first Chrysler dealership in Western Canada, on Bannerman and Main. Selma was the love of Leo's life. They shared many interests together including travel, ballroom dancing, playing bridge and socializing with their large group of close friends. Selma was a renaissance woman. She had a passion for the performing arts, especially the symphony, ballet, opera and musical theatre. A voracious reader, Selma continued to educate herself about history, different cultures and current affairs. She played an integral part in building the family home, designing much of the infrastructure of the house including space saving and efficiency improving technologies. In addition, Selma was just as proficient repairing things around the house on her own. Not only did she appreciate and support the arts, she took sculpting and weaving courses to express her own artistic visions. A woman ahead of her time, Selma understood the importance of healthy eating 40 years before it was fashionable. Unlike some others of her generation, she was fascinated by technology and was eager to learn to use it. Selma's greatest joy was her family and especially her grandchildren. She took it upon herself to chronicle, primarily through photographs, the lives of everyone in the family. It's clear that Selma touched many lives. She was beautiful inside and out, elegant, kind, warm, always welcoming, meticulous and a real "Class Act". A special thank you to Doris Boutillier, the Comforts of Home Care staff, especially Anastasia, Brook and Daniel who were with Selma in her last days. The love and support from friends and family has been greatly appreciated. Funeral services were held on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Shaarey Zedek Synagogue. Shiva was held and ended Sunday, October 28, 2018. Thank you to Rabbi Matthew Leibl and staff at the Synagogue. For those who wish to remember Selma, donations can be made to: The Selma & Leo Shearer G.R.O.W. Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, 204-477-7520 www.jewishfoundation.org

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2018