ESTEVAN - Estevan's latest trailblazer's name was unveiled at the Southeast Women of Distinction Awards ceremony on May 2.
The late Gertie Lev (1921-2018) is the fifth inductee to the Trailblazer Memorial Walk, presented by Woodley Well Service Inc. She joined Shirley Orsted, Melodye Pierson, Ida Petterson and Shirley Carson. These women are those who were the first to do something and/or to go somewhere, giving other women the opportunity to follow up and the knowledge that was needed to make it possible for them to do so.
Lev's story was shared with more than 300 people in attendance, including her daughter Charne Shoob, who resides in Arizona and came to Estevan for the event.
"I'm so proud. My mom was a wonderful woman. I miss her terribly. She was a person who instilled her values in me, and now that I've retired, I've started doing volunteer work and I've become very active in my community in Arizona," Shoob said.
Mary Anne Veroba, who was the master of the ceremony for the event, introduced Lev and talked about how she influenced the community.
"The first time I saw Gertie, she was walking down the halls of St. Joseph's Hospital with the lady's hospital auxiliary cart, a great big cart, and she was pushing that cart down the hall. This was a short but very well-dressed lady with beautiful posture, not a hair out of place, holding very interesting conversations with patients," shared Veroba.
Gertie came to Estevan in the early 1970s after marrying Morris Lev, a farmer from Hirsch, a small Jewish colony east of Estevan. She lived in Winnipeg before and was already a widow. Her friends suggested that she meet Morris, who farmed in the Hirsch area in the summer and worked in a garage in Winnipeg during the winter.
"Although not really interested in courting again, Gertie agreed to meet him and there you have it," Veroba said.
"In Gertie's own words, it was the move to Estevan that brought out the Jewish side of her. She will reflect that she has never experienced antisemitism in Saskatchewan. 'I didn't hide my Jewishness. I brought it forth to show them that we are pretty good,'" Veroba said, recalling Lev's words.
"Gertie was independent and resourceful. Her home was filled with photos of friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, documents, pieces of history and medals that honoured her volunteerism.
"From the day she came to Estevan, Gertie joined everything, and it was demonstrated with the Canadian commemorative medal she received in 1992 from the governor general for her work in the community. She also received the Heart of Gold Award from Air Canada.
Lev was nominated among almost 80 women across Saskatchewan as a woman of influence. Her volunteerism was immense, Veroba said. She spoke to schools and church groups about Jewish holidays and rituals. Lev welcomed visitors into her home to share history and values.
She was the mainstay of the Saskatchewan Junior Concert Society. One of Lev's most notable accomplishments involves the restoration and rehabilitation of the Jewish cemetery near Hirsch.
"This is a significant contribution to the Jewish history of the area. The cemetery dates back to 1894 and Gertie was not happy with the neglect and the state of despair that she found it in. So, on one of her visits to her family in Winnipeg, she contacted the Jewish Immigration Aid Society, received funding to fix it up and arranged for regular maintenance of the cemetery," Veroba shared. "In 1980, Gertie arranged a tea, and people from all over North America came for a rededication of a cemetery and its designation as a historical site."
Lev had many hobbies. She could sing and dance, and had a great sense of humour, Veroba said.
"Gertie is and was a role model to many, and she really did live a story of happy, happy happenings. Gertie is a rightful member of the trailblazers. Her highlights include a sustained commitment to faith, heritage and values; and steadfast devotion to family, community and volunteerism. Well known for enthusiasm, a sense of humour, generosity and her sense of fashion. Admirable role model for women of all ages," Veroba summarized.
Shoob said the Women for Women (W4W) committee reached out to her ahead of the event to inform her of her mother's recognition.
"I told my husband that my mom was getting this honour, I said 'It would be so wonderful for me to be there.' And he said, 'Then go.' So here I am," Shoob said.
"Her granddaughters and both my daughters admire her so much. And my younger daughter is her reincarnation, she wears high heels and dresses up," she added with a laugh.
Shoob said she was pleasantly surprised with the Southeast Women of Distinction Awards event.
"I am so amazed with this event. I did not expect something so large and so inclusive. It's wonderful," Shoob shared.
