After a long road of Alzheimer’s and lung cancer, Rosalie has peacefully left us to join her beloved husband, Jim.

 

Left to miss her are son Cade Coghill (Mikaila), daughter Kim Coghill, and dear nieces and nephews Debbie Meyers, Jeff Steinberg, Kevin Steinberg, Allison Nichols-Jamieson, Jack Coghill, Sheila Manhire, Laird Coghill, and Kirsty Hayward.

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She was predeceased by her mother, Phyllis Steinberg (née Coval); her brother, Eddie Steinberg; her cousin, Gail Finkle; and her son-in-law, Denis McGrath.

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Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, Rosalie learned resourcefulness and tenacity from her mother, a Jewish Romanian immigrant who worked to exhaustion, sometimes starving herself to ensure Rosalie and Eddie survived.

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Rosalie was equally resilient, and never backed down from what she believed in. Determined to make her way in the world on her own terms, she explored careers as a flight attendant with Trans Canada Airlines; an entrepreneur running her own company, Trend Personnel; and a House Mother at Villa Rosa, where she helped provide stability and guidance to young pregnant women who were on their own.

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Her first marriage gave her a beloved son, Cade. When that marriage ended, she had the courage to take her six-year-old son, strike out on her own, and be willing to find love again… which she did. Her second marriage, to Jim Coghill, gave her a soulmate, and gave Cade a loving father. Their little family was completed when they welcomed daughter Kim.

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Rosalie was extremely proud of her family. She made sure both Cade and Kim could read before starting kindergarten, supported them in school and extracurricular activities, and ran the household with a close eye on money, somehow finding enough when something extra was needed. She and Jim were affectionate, passionate, and backed each other to the hilt. She tried with all her might to give her family a good, stable life – a life her mother was never able to give her.

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Rosalie loved going to restaurants and would try almost any kind of food, although nothing could top a good bowl of wonton soup or a plate of fries and gravy. She was excited to see the world, visiting London, Paris, New York, and Israel, as well as cities across Canada and the United States. She led the family on summer trips to the lake, and told stories about how she and her mother weren’t allowed at Victoria Beach or Grand Beach, because those were restricted, and how the Jewish families flocked to Winnipeg Beach instead, having a blast riding the old roller coaster and strolling the boardwalk.

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Rosalie held her Jewish heritage close to her heart in her values, her latkes, and her identity. She refused to tolerate antisemitism or any other kind of prejudice, no matter the cost.

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Rosalie and Jim remained in the house where they got married, at 638 Cambridge St., for 33 years. They eventually moved to nearby Campbell St. When Jim passed away from lung cancer, she moved to a condo in Tuxedo and served on the board. Years later, when she needed more help, she came to the Shaftesbury, where her life, well-lived, finally ended after 84 years.

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The family would like to thank the staff at Shaftesbury Park Retirement Residence, and especially their staff in The Boulevard, who took such kind and loving care of her in her final months. Thank you also to her family doctor, Dr. Dasa Silhova; Dr. Scott Hill at Victoria Hospital; Dr. Susan Green and Dr. Amit Chowdhury at CancerCare Manitoba; dear friend Tannis Johnston; and the WRHA Palliative Care team.

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Flowers gratefully declined. Instead, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, or to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

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Rosalie's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.