- Brandon Sun Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
MARION WARHAFT
Marion Warhaft passed on February 28, 2025, after six terrible weeks in hospital.
Marion was a Winnipeg icon - for decades she was the Free Press's famous restaurant critic. Some restaurant owners hated her, but her integrity and knowledge, coupled with a fun personal writing style led huge numbers of readers to great food experiences. Marion won awards and was always in the top read columns. She was heartbroken when she had to stop in 2015.
Marion was a complex woman, and also very talented - a great cook, and an excellent writer. She was devoted to her friends and family and would fight viciously on their behalf. She was also a very private woman - surprising given her glamorous life. She loved her notoriety, but really she was a shy little girl inside.
Marion grew from her lonely childhood in the North End to become a beautiful, successful, and popular woman. She was often compared to Eva Gardner or Hedy Lamarr. At 24 she moved to spend five years in New York. She became a true New Yorker! In her words, it formed her as a person.
Marion's subsequent marriage with Sidney Warhaft (Professor at University of Manitoba) fulfilled her deeply - it was a fairy-tale love. She loved cooking and she was well known for catering great parties. She also enjoyed many European travels.
After Sid's early death, a career as restaurant critic gave new meaning to her life. It was always a treat to go on an 'incognito review' with her.
Marion strove to be honest, and although she never considered herself a great writer, her columns were gems full of knowledge, humour, and delicious food. She was a powerful influence on the gastronomic development of Winnipeg.
On a personal note, my mother gave me, amongst other things, a deep love of food and travel that are truly at the core of my being. I will love her and miss her always.
Marion will be missed by friends, Ruby, Razie, Dena, Ruth, and Annie. Also by dear family members, Marilyn. Trudy, Cindy, Martin Minuck, Mavis, Bonnie, Simone, and Samuel.
She once said, "You know - I've had a pretty good life!"
Your pain is over. Goodbye my mother. Goodbye Marion Warhaft.
Donations please to Rossbrook House...
Tribute site - http://marionwarhaft.com/
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2025
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
-
Mark. So sorry for your loss. Through you, your mother left a lasting impact on me. In our university days you exposed us to restaurants and types of foods we would have never discovered on our own. Oceana, the first one you exposed us to remains one of my lifetime food highlights and forever changed the way I looked at Asian food. - Posted by: Rae Bjornson MacIver (Friend) on: Mar 20, 2025
-
My deep condolences to you, Mark. My lifelong passion for cooking was formed when I sat on the floor in your mother’s kitchen reading through stacks of Gourmet magazines while my husband Lewis, daughter Julie and I were evacuated at your home during the 1974 flood. We were safe and dry while water was pouring into our house near St. Adolphe. I heard the familiar sound this particular evening of rain and discovered water was slipping in downstairs. We tried our best to raise the downstairs items but could not lift a large chest. When your parents returned with you from France they assured us all was well. The large chest was filled with your toys. Be well, Mark. - Posted by: Anne Layman (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2025
-
Loved her columns and have missed a regular FP food critic. Her anonymity only added to her mystique. It was telling that another writer added. '..with an eye to being fair and sensitive -- especially to the little guys." She obviously carried that beyond her restaurant reviews and I was moved to see that donations should go to Rossbrook House. - Posted by: Rodger Spelmer (reader) on: Mar 11, 2025
-
Marion was an incredibly elegant and beautiful person. I'll always be grateful for the many kindnesses that she and my late Uncle Sid showed me when I was a teenager in Winnipeg and will treasure the times when we were able to see each other over the years. Simone, my daughter, and Samuel, my grandson will miss her and will remember all the wonderful times we were able to visit. We send our love to Mark and to all of our family. She will be sorely missed. - Posted by: Bonnie Smith (Niece) on: Mar 11, 2025
-
I just wanted to say how sorry I am for you Mark and if you need to talk to me you can always call me at 204-295-4196. We will always miss our mothers because we only get one and your mother was a real mother to you. Schuie - Posted by: Greg schumacher (Friend) on: Mar 09, 2025
-
My family grew up reading Marion's smart, frank restaurant reviews -- the city and the Free Press were lucky to have her insight. But I gained a greater respect and admiration for her as Editor of the Entertainment section, when she started taking me with her on the job. Our lunches were legendary -- we'd order practically everything off the menu (the servers looking at us with growing incredulity) and she'd thoughtfully assess it all, with an eye to being fair and sensitive -- especially to the little guys. The conversation would flow like a rich Vietnamese coffee, and I always waddled out a bit stupefied. (Our first date she glared at me and said "I thought you said you could eat?!", so I did.) But our friendship grew over our love of all things French, art, great books and a good laugh. RIP Marion, you will be missed. - Posted by: Margo Goodhand (Colleague and friend) on: Mar 08, 2025
-
Thinking of you, Mark, as you say good bye to your Mom. Good memories of when you were in Anthro at the UofM. Sending comfort. Roxie - Posted by: Roxie Wilde (none) on: Mar 08, 2025
-
My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother, Mark. I know she meant the world to you. May her memory be a blessing. - Posted by: Dr. Lori A. Vogt (Friend) on: Mar 08, 2025
-
I well remember Marion in the days when she could command a Winnipeg restaurant's success or failure. Once she had reviewed a restaurant favorably, we knew that we had to beware of crowds to get into the premises. My condolences to her family for your loss. She was one of Winnipeg's icons. - Posted by: Enid Barnes (avid reader and follower) on: Mar 08, 2025
-
Winnipeg and the Free Press were so fortunate to have this truly talented woman in our city. My sympathy to her family and friends. - Posted by: Gerri Thorsteinson (Reader) on: Mar 08, 2025