Jeannette URBAS

URBAS, Jeannette - Died at age 95 on October 1, 2014 in Toronto after a heroic struggle with congestive heart failure and a lengthy recuperation from a massive stroke. Jeannette faced these critical illnesses with the same unstoppable life force that sustained her through many tragedies earlier in her life. Jeannette had a brilliant intellectual mind and earned a PhD specializing in French Canadian Literature. She was a gifted educator, as well as a published writer of short stories, poetry and literary criticism. Her passions included travelling, swimming, reading in five languages, classical music, opera, films and theatre. She adored her three grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Jeannette was an early feminist and embraced the diversity of her four children. As a woman of great strength, vitality and independence, she was an inspiring role model to her family and friends. Jeannette was predeceased by her beloved husbands Avrahm Rotenberg and Joshua Urbas and sisters Mildred Lipes (Joe) and Celia Campbell (Wilf). She suffered the loss of her eldest son David Daniel Rotenberg in January 2014. Left to cherish her memory are her devoted children Lorie Rotenberg (Deborah Feinstadt), Karen Rotenberg (Don Englert) and Danny Urbas, her grandchildren Rebecca, Avie and Melanie Englert, her brother Hymie Sckolnick (Frieda) and sister Jean Brown (Abe). Our heartfelt thanks to Isabel and Grace Guevarra, Jeannette's caregivers, whose loving support always gave her the best quality of life possible. Donations can be made to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, 416-864-9735.