I was born in Winnipeg on July 25, 1945, the oldest of four children born to Percy and Polly Lee. My mother, the daughter of Sam and Sarah Shore, was born in Russia in 1924 and moved here as a young child. My grandfather was the founder and owner of a prominent manufacturing and retail business, Shore Glass and Building Supplies. My father, the son of Morris and Sarah Lee, was born in Winnipeg in 1924.

My early years were spent in the north end where I attended Inkster School and the Talmud Torah, before moving to the south end in 1953. I attended Brock Corydon, River Heights and Kelvin High schools. I also went to night school at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue until my bat mitzvah in 1958. After high school I was a student at Mount Carmel Clinic and graduated as an X-ray Technician in 1966. Those years at the Clinic taught me the importance of helping people of less fortunate circumstances, a lesson I have never forgotten.

On November 12, 1967 I married Leonard Stoller. Leonard and I shared the value of a Jewish Education for our children. When our three sons entered the Jewish day school system, I became very active in many aspects of school life. I was involved in the Hebrew School Lotteries for many years, as well as the School PTA, and enjoyed teaching the babysitting course to all the grade 6 students at Ramah for five years. Our boys were active at the YMHA and through their participation there, became involved in the Provincial Racquetball program. I became manager of the Provincial Team and was involved with the program for many years. Leonard was a Chartered Accountant, a partner with Burke, Newman & Company until his untimely death in 1989. He was a man of high principles and ideals and has left a strong legacy of his values and beliefs with his family and friends. I am pleased that the Institute of Chartered Accountants, with the support of Burke, Newman & Company, holds a yearly luncheon in his memory. Leonard is honored as an active and dedicated member of the Office Practice Assistance Committee from 1982 to 1986 who was vitally interested in maintaining and advancing the professional excellence of practicing firms. Our family has also set up a scholarship through the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba for future Chartered Accountants as a tribute to him.

My greatest satisfaction comes from raising three wonderful sons. Danny, married to Cara Schwartz, is a Chartered Accountant in Winnipeg. Bobby is pursuing a law career in Toronto. Michael is a financial planner, also in Winnipeg. I am pleased that two of my children have chosen to remain in Winnipeg. I am very proud of all my children and they continue to give me great joy.

Throughout my life, in times of difficulty, it has been my Jewish community that has become my extended family and has provided me with the courage and strength I have needed to help me feel rooted. My relationships with other women, my voluntary participation at the Women's Health Clinic, and my own struggles to live as a single woman, have given me a kinship with women and a desire to help others as they have helped me. I am a founding member of the Women's Endowment Fund of The Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, and have chosen to make a financial commitment to the Fund so that their mandate of "women helping women" can continue.

I have seen my children grow to adulthood and now I am taking on new challenges in my life. I am back in University finishing a degree in Conflict Resolution and continue to do volunteer work. I have wonderful friends and family that I love very much. I continue to learn great lessons from my life experiences.