My father, Isaac Ripstein was born in New York City in 1874, the eldest son of Jacob and Yhetta Belle (Seipp) Ripstein. The family moved to Winnipeg when he was a young child. My grandmother passed away in Winnipeg, after which my grandfather fulfilled a life's dream when he moved to Palestine, where he died in 1936.

My mother, Bessie Finkelstein was born in Russia in 1875. She came to Winnipeg in 1882 with her parents, Tevel and Reitza (Gold) Finkelstein. The family took a prominent part in the early communal life of the city. My grandfather was also a leader in the budding Jewish community, serving as treasurer of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue when it first opened in 1890, and playing an instrumental part in the founding of the Talmud Torah in 1901. (At the 100th Anniversary of my grandfather, the surviving children of both the Ripsteins and Finkelsteins were represented. We were very much intertwined - 3 Finkelsteins had married 3 Ripsteins!)

My parents married in 1896, and had seven children, I was the youngest, born in 1913. Our home was in Fort Rouge and later, River Heights. I was blessed with both sets of grandparents having come to this country.

I remember a common saying in our home: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". My parents were enjoying life in Canada and made a concerted effort to become integrated into the community - they spoke, read and wrote English fluently, and insisted that their children attend public schools in order to properly understand people of all backgrounds. I had friends of every race and religion, but retained my Jewish faith, as did my parents.

I attended Fort Rouge and Earl Grey Elementary schools, and graduated from Kelvin High School, as did all of my siblings. Education was very important to my parents and I was encouraged to do well in my studies. I particularly enjoyed participating on debating teams, on various student councils, and serving as President of my class. The Jewish families in the south end had a small synagogue on Nassau Street, and studying the Old Testament there was a special joy for me.

After graduating in 1930, there was little work available so I invented a business of my own to keep myself occupied. I also volunteered to teach English to new Canadians at the Talmud Torah and my students' eagerness to learn made this a delightful experience. Along with working in sales, I had a busy social life, but particularly enjoyed Sunday afternoon dances at the YMHA on Albert Street.

In 1938, I married Sam Slotin and I became a most welcomed part of the wonderful Slotin family. We have been blessed with 4 children, Beth, Robin, Lewis and Isle, 7 grand-children and 3 great-grandchildren. While I am proud of each one of them and their accomplishments and achievements are too numerous to mention, I must say that one highlight came in 1990 when Beth chose to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah together with 9 other adults who had not had this experience in their youth. The hard work she committed to this confirmed that it was an important celebration for her, (as it was for me), re-connecting her with her roots.

Through the years I have belonged to the National Council of Jewish Women and the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood, I have enjoyed knitting for the Red Cross, and making crafts for various causes. I was one of the original organizers of the Shaarey Zedek Gift Shop after the new Synagogue was built in 1950.

I now spend time travelling to see my family, visiting at various nursing homes, and volunteering my time. My strong interest has always been in sales (I worked at Holt Renfrew for many years), and I have always loved watching how our city changes. I have been lucky to grow up at a time when so many great changes have taken place and in my case, the good with everything has outweighed the bad. I have been blessed with children who have managed on their own to make their place in the world. I have had a life filled with people, and even as myself, everyone has a story. I am having a good life.