I was born Fanni Bernthal on May 19, 1915 in Winnipeg. Both my parents, Julius Bernthal and Sonja Optner, had emigrated from Russia in the early 1900's. They met in Winnipeg where my father was a 'macher' with the Peretz School.

In 1916, when I was a year old, my family moved to Leader, Saskatchewan where my father worked in a hardware store. The business suffered during the depression, forcing us to move first to Regina and then back to Winnipeg's north end where we had relatives. My father had a great thirst for knowledge and always read and listened to his gramophone. Back in Winnipeg he worked as a candy salesman, and died at the age of 74.

I attended Machray School and St. John's Tech, and the Peretz School in the evenings. There was no money to send me to university so I began work as a telephone solicitor for $3.00 a week. I then worked for Perth's Dry Cleaning for $15.00 a week. Later I enjoyed working in a boutique for many years.

In 1941 I married Misha Starr and had two sons, David and Donald. Misha died in 1979. David is a psychiatrist in Boston and he and his wife Sharon are parents to twin daughters, Bayle and Melissa. Donald is a lawyer pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours in London, England. He and his wife Susan also have two daughters, Hally and Misha. I also have one sister, Rebbi Krowitz, who lives in Minneapolis.

I enjoyed being active in Hadassah for many years and loved my 30-year involvement with a book review group. I have also done volunteer work for Jewish Child and Family Services and have taken some university courses. In 1989 I married Mel Leonoff, with whom I had been friends for many years.

I have always loved Winnipeg and have always had many good friends living here. I think the new Asper Jewish Community Campus is a wonderful facility. My hope for the future is that the community will remain strong and vibrant and will continue to serve as a source of support for those in need.



Since completing this story about Fanni and her life, she as well as her sister have passed away and her family appreciates having Fanni's view of her own life and the people who played a part in it.