Shulamit (Shula) Besser

Shulamit bat Mordechai ve Perl

In addition to the in-person service at the Chapel, the funeral will also be live-streamed. To view the service virtually, please go to https://smclive.ca/ on Friday January 5th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Shulamit (Shula) Besser, beloved daughter of Max and Perl Besser z”l, passed away with her family beside her on the morning of January 4, 2024. Loving mother and mother-in-law to Sue Valencia and Matt Cockburn, and Marc and Amanda Valencia. Devoted sabta to Adam, Megan and Jenna Cockburn, and Brady and Davis Valencia. Shula lived her life enjoying the things that made her happy, like her children and grandchildren, traditions and family dinners, the Toronto Blue Jays, Young & Restless, Mahjong and her oversized white hydrangeas.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of IDF https://www.fidf.org/ (212) 244-3118

or UJA Emergency Appeal https://www.jewishtoronto.com/2023_israel_emergency

Date of Death: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Yahrzeit Day: 23 Tevet

Date of Funeral: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time of Funeral: 1:00 PM

Memorial Service Location: Steeles Memorial Chapel 350 Steeles Avenue West.

Burial Service Location: Pardes Shalom Cemetery 10953 Dufferin Street, Maple, ON Beth Emeth Section

Shiva Details: Shiva visits Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Shiva Location: 69 Prince Charles Dr. Toronto M6A 2H6

Message of Condolence

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 4:48 PM

Miriam & Steve

To the Valencia & Cockburn family Our deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, & grandmother. May her memory be a blessing With love Miriam & Steve Komlos

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 4:50 PM

Miriam & Steve

Our deepest condolences to the Valencia & Cockburn families May her memory be a blessing

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 5:33 PM

Mel, Joe & Joshy

Baruch Dayan Ha'emet. Our most sincere condolences to Marc, Sue and the whole family on the loss of your mom. Shula had such a strong spirit and held her family close. We enjoyed spending shabbat dinners with her and sharing in all family events. We will miss her dearly. May Hashem embrace you with comfort during this time of mourning. Mel, Joe & Joshy xoxo

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 6:29 PM

Tobi Potash Bassin

Marc, Susan, and family I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. As far back into my childhood as I can remember Shula was always there. She was a wonderful friend to my mom, and always had a warm smile and hug for me when it was in town for Rosh Hashana at Beth Emeth. Hove St won’t be the same without her. She will be very missed.

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 8:27 PM

Anjie and Richard TK

To the Valencia and Cockburn families, We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Sabta. Sending you love and condolences from the TK Family.

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 9:56 PM

Susie Shillow

Sincere condolences on the passing of your dear mother, mother in law and grandmother, Shula. May your fond memories bring you comfort at this sad time and may her memory always be for a blessing. Susie Shillow and Keith Holdsworth

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 11:07 PM

Carolyn Drebin

Dear Marc and Sue and Valencia/Cockburn families, I’m so very sad about the loss of your Shula… she was quite the character who was always happy to chat it up whenever I saw her. And I love a woman who loves her diet pop! Sending much love and condolences to you all. Xo Carolyn

Reply • Report

Posted on 04.01.2024 - 11:18 PM

Galit Janco & Daniel Samson

Dear Marc, Sue and your families. We are heartbroken for you and send you our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother and Safta. Baruch Dayan Haemet. May Shula’s memory be a blessing.

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 8:05 AM

Johanna Brooks

Dear Marc, Amanda & family, I am very sorry for the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Johanna Levitt-Brooks

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 8:45 AM

Robert McGill

Sue Sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. Please accept my condolences.

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 9:57 AM

RICK HORENFELDT

I’m sorry to hear this news. I used to love getting honey in beautiful glass jars every year from her. I still have many of those jars and think of her whenever I look at them. May her memory be for a blessing

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 11:30 AM

אריאלה ואיציק קרויטורו

מעומק ליבנו מצטערים על אובדן יקירתכם שולה היתה חברה טובה ונאמנה היה נעים להיות בחברתה קבלנו את תמחומינו אריאלה ואיציק

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 12:03 PM

דליה וקוצי

משתתפות בצערכם על מות חברתנו האהובה שולה בסר ז"ל. מי יתן ולא תדעו מדליה ורותי

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 12:31 PM

Sandra Kaufman

I’m so sorry to have learned of Shula’s passing. I have fond memories spending in time in Florida with your mom and grandmother. My parents were Al and Margit Yuffa. They were all friends from the Y. Please accept my condolences

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 1:21 PM

Rachel Goodman Aspler

Dear Sue and Marc and families, I am writing through tears after listening to your beautiful eulogy for your Mom. Though i have not seen Shula in many years, I was deeply saddened to the core to hear about her passing. Shula had a huge influence on me and my upbringing. I literally spent hours and hours each week and especially on Shabbat in your kitchen, often with my mother, but very often i would come over alone. We watched Y&R together, watched the Blue Jays (my Dad was equally a huge fan), played Rummikub, listened to our favourite music, and i was her biggest customer of everything that she sold from the basement, and got all of my friends to come shopping too. Shula always had tea and sponge cake ready to serve, no matter what time i came over. To this day, i still make your mother's apple cake every year for Rosh Hashanah, the recipe titled "Shula's Apple Cake" in my cookbook. May your memories of your mother and Savta be a blessing. I know that my memories will always warm my heart. Love, Rachel

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 2:41 PM

Oded Orgil

Our deepest condolences to the Valencia and Cockburn families on the passing of your Mother and Grandmother. May her memory always be a blessing. Oded & Signe and family.

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 3:42 PM

Lily Elsner & Bob Ritter

Dear Marc and Amanda, Sue and Matt and families, We extend our deepest condolences to you and your entire family for the loss of your mom and grandmother. May her memory be a blessing. Our thoughts are with you at this time.

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 6:42 PM

The Witkins

Dear Marc, Amanda, Brady, Davis, Sue and family - we are sending you so much love as you mourn the loss of your beloved Shula. It is never easy losing someone you love. May you find joy in the life you each shared with her, and may her memory be a blessing. Love Meryl, Andrew, Amoryn and Ella Rae Witkin

Reply • Report

Posted on 05.01.2024 - 11:48 PM

Kim Kowarsky Doron

To the Valencia and Cockburn families, I am so sorry to hear about Shula. I have treasured memories from our high school days - of so many hours spent with Sue and friends in her home... enjoying warm cups of brewed tea, listening to music (Sue's mixed tapes!), having sleepovers, talking for hours, laughing together, and so much more. May happy memories bring you comfort and strength. Baruch Dayan Haemet.

Reply • Report

Posted on 06.01.2024 - 11:35 AM

Jonathan Giddens

Dear Marc, Amanda , Sue and Matt, We are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother . May her memory be a blessing Sending lots of love Jon and Susan Giddens

Reply • Report

Posted on 06.01.2024 - 1:39 PM

TOKER FAMILY

Dear Marc, Amanda, Brady and Davis Sending sincere condolences on the loss of your mother and grandmother. May you be comforted by many cherished memories at this sad time. With love from the Toker Family

Reply • Report

Posted on 07.01.2024 - 9:36 AM

Maxine Gutzin

Marc, Susan and family, I was saddened to learn of the passing of Shula. I always enjoyed chatting with her whenever we saw each other in the neighbourhood. I am thinking of you at this difficult time. Maxine Gutzin

Reply • Report

Posted on 07.01.2024 - 10:34 AM

Margot Friedman

Dear Marc, Amanda, Brady and Davis, we extend our sympathies on the loss of your mother and grandmother. Hopefully, in time, your fond memories of times spent together will help ease your sense of loss. Fondly, Margot, David, Ben and Family

Reply • Report

Posted on 07.01.2024 - 9:18 PM

Daphna Grossman

We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Shula so well and her my parents’ friendship was so lovely. May Shula’s memory be for a blessing. Matt and Daphna

Reply • Report

Posted on 07.01.2024 - 10:20 PM

Shana Nodel

To Marc and Amanda and the rest of the family. My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, mother in law and grandmother. Sending lots of love during this very difficult time. Love, Shana and Jack

Reply • Report

Posted on 08.01.2024 - 12:35 PM

Sarah, David, Charlotte and Ari

Shula was a caring and sweet neighbour. She always made sure to say hi and even give the kids little presents often. She loved to be part of the Hove Street block and was one of the originals! We will always remember her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Reply • Report

Posted on 09.01.2024 - 9:43 AM

Elana Carr

Dear Marc and Amanda and family, I was saddened to hear of your mother's passing. I have fond memories of visiting her on Hove Street with my grandmother and I always enjoyed talking to her. She was full of life. May her memory live on through her children and grandchildren. Barcuh Dayan Haemet.

Reply • Report

Posted on 11.01.2024 - 8:32 PM

Bobbi Wardinger

My sincere condolences to the family…I have fond memories of Shabbat dinners at Moe’s in Florida pre Covid…May you find comfort in good memories and may her memory be a blessing..

Reply • Report

Posted on 03.04.2024 - 1:43 PM

Bayla Baker

Something in my kishkas told me to Google Shula. I have not lived in Toronto for Decades and since Oct7/23 I am trying to reach out to Jewish people that I have lost touch with....this surprise was, not what I expected. May the entire family and extended family live in the memory of the beautiful souls that was Shula.

Reply • Report

Send a donation in your loved one’s name and benefit a great cause in their honour.

Make a Donation