DOREEN BRENDA SHAPERA (published on January 16, 2010)
| DOREEN BRENDA SHAPERA (nee PRESSMAN) March 2, 1941 - January 8, 2010 We are deeply saddened and heartbroken to announce the untimely death of Doreen Shapera, who passed away after a brief and courageous battle with cancer on January 8, 2010 at the Health Sciences Centre. Doreen, who was Deenie to many, is survived, and will be lovingly remembered, by her husband of almost 50 years, Garry Shapera, her daughter Shayla Berall (Glenn), son David Shapera (Karen), and grandchildren Gillian, Eric, Jordan and Gavin. Doreen is also survived by her beloved, 100 year old father, Jack Pressman, and her only sibling, her older sister, and lifelong friend and confidante, Betty Ann Searle, brother-in-law Sam Searle, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Earnest and Cookie Shapera (her other sister ), brother-in-law and sister-in-law Neil and Nancy Shapera, as well as her nieces and nephews who adored her and to whom she was Aunty Deenie. Doreen's death also leaves a void in the lives of her many close and devoted friends. Doreen was predeceased by her mother Sally Pressman. Born in the St. Boniface Hospital, Doreen lived her earliest years in Crandall and Grandview, MB, and grew up in Weyburn, SK, where she loved to ice skate with her sister, Betty. (Later, they could be seen conquering the icy (as well as thawed and pot-holed) streets of Winnipeg, together. They were walking/talking buddies for close to 50 years, living only seven minutes away from each other (on foot) for most of their lives. Doreen moved to Winnipeg in 1959. Shortly thereafter, while hanging out in front of the popular Good Earth restaurant on Main Street, she met her soon-to-be-husband, Garry. They married in 1960; this September 4 would have marked their 50th anniversary. Doreen was an unpretentious, genuine lover of life - a class act. She laughed easily, (but told jokes poorly), was a consummate hostess many of her special recipes are embedded in the fabric of our family traditions - knew a thing or two about fashion, enjoyed putting in time as a community volunteer, and loved to entertain and be entertained, be it by the ballet, symphony, opera or going to the theatre. Doreen loved it all. In particular, she loved watching all her talented grandchildren perform, whether on stage or on the ice. On the phone, they often regaled her with enthusiastic reports of their busy schedules. Doreen revelled in their many achievements and delighted in taking an active role in their lives. She also knew how much they loved their cool Babba. Doreen was extremely proud, too, of her children and their spouses, her nieces and nephews, and, of course, her hard-working and exceptionally handy husband, Garry. We are thankful for the compassion, good care and kindness shown her by Dr. Ken Van Ameyde and the GD-4 team of doctors, nurses and staff at Health Sciences Centre. Special mention must also be made of Cookie Shapera, whose unstinting vigilance in tending to Doreen's personal needs, both prior to and during her time in the hospital, was immensely comforting. Doreen will be profoundly missed by her close-knit family and myriad friends, whose lives she touched and warmed with her beautiful, generous spirit. We were struck by her bravery and strength and deeply moved by the gracious, dignified, straightforward and good-humoured manner in which she conducted herself, particularly during the last difficult two weeks of her life. The world is a better place for Doreen's having been in it, and our lives have been made all the richer for having had the privilege and blessing of knowing her. Donations may be made In memory of Doreen Shapera to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, or to a charity of one's choosing. |
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