It is with profound sorrow that the daughters and family of Fela (Freda) Shwemer, peacefully passed away in Humber River Hospital in Toronto, on May 31st, 2022, just shy of 99 years old.  Fela was predeceased by her husband Abram, infant daughter Chaveleh, beloved parents Bina and Berish Wolnerman and other family members who prematurely perished in the Holocaust.  Fela is survived by her daughters Betty Weintraub,  Cecile (David) Devere, grandchildren Elan (Sharon) Weintraub, Daniel (Aviva) Devere, Janelle (Chaim) Silverstone and 15 great-grandchildren: Sahara, Lev and Nediva Weintraub; Zahava, Azariah, Nesya and Emunah Devere;  Devorah, Shira, Moshe, Yehuda, Shalom, Batsheva, Nechama, and Shmuel Silverstone; nephew Yoav (Carol) z’l Sahian, great-nephew Herschel (Dana) Sahian, great-niece Shani (Eran) Sahian Lavi and many great-nephews and great-nieces from Canada, U.S.A. and Israel.   She is also survived by in-laws Rhoda and David Schnarch; Lynne and Bram Silverstone; and Raya (Moshe) z’l Karvat, and Marion Waldman.

Born in Sosnowicz, Poland, Fela lived a happy childhood with her parents and eight siblings.  WW II broke out she was 16 years old and was forcefully taken to Neusaltz slave labour camp in Germany.  Her parents and three siblings died in the camps.

Fela married our father, Abram, in October, 1945.  Their daughter Chaveleh died several months after her birth in 1946.  In 1947, they emigrated to Israel where Abram joined the Hagganah, leaving Fela to raise their baby daughter Betty on her own in Haifa. In 1950, Fela, Abram and her family followed her siblings and emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As new immigrants, their challenges were many; coping with PTSD, learning a new language, finding employment, housing, making new friends and fitting into the Canadian culture.  Over time, these challenges were successfully met by her keen intelligence, determination, fierce independence, courage and constant love and belief in HASHEM. Years after Abram passed away, she moved to Toronto at the age of 83 to be close to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Fela was the matriarch and the glue that kept our family together.  She was always grateful to G-d for the blessings in her life – her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom she was completely devoted and established special relationships with each one.  In later years, Fela was invited to give testimony of her experiences of the Holocaust in schools, symposiums, synagogues, etc. She was committed to keeping the memory of her beloved parents, siblings and nieces, who were murdered in the Holocaust, alive.  She took every opportunity to remember and speak of them with the utmost longing and love.

Fela was an avid volunteer for many organizations and charities.  She was proud to be one of the founders of Pioneer Women-Beersheba Chapter -in Winnipeg. She loved dogs, all animals and regularly fed ‘her’ birds on her garage roof in Winnipeg and continued her ‘hobby’ many years later where she became a happy, popular and beloved resident in the Baycrest Terraces in Toronto.

Fela was a people magnet and connected with people everywhere she went – at the Baycrest Terraces, in a coffee shop, in the hospital, with the PSW’s and medical staff who went out of their way to say ‘hello’.  Over time, she faced many serious health issues, surgeries and challenges.  Fela was a fighter to the end as she loved life and all that it gave her.

Our mother was truly our hero – a survivor, a role model to be curious, adventurous, brave, to never give up hope, keep fighting, to love and maintain a positive outlook. Her sheer determination and faith in HASHEM never wavered.  Life is a gift from G-d and is very precious.  May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

 

Memorial donations may be made to the Baycrest Foundation (416-785-2875), Bikur Cholim (416-783-7983), the DANI Centre 905-889-3264, or to the charity of your choice.

The family will be observing Shiva at 88 Promenade Circle, Thornhill. Shiva visits on Wednesday immediately following the interment in the Main Floor Party Room until 4:30 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Shiva resumes on Thursday in the unit (#311) on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Shiva concludes Friday afternoon, June 3rd.