Memorable Manitobans: Cecilia Asper (1903-2002)

Musician, community volunteer.

Born at Golta, Ukraine on 22 August 1903, Cecilia and her family immigrated to Canada in 1921, settling in Winnipeg. Her and her fiancee were musicians, he a promising conductor and violinist and she an accomplished pianist. They worked in the pit orchestra of the Capitol Theatre in Calgary until the switch to sound in movies, whereupon they returned to Manitoba. There they purchased the Lyric Theatre and eventually operated several Manitoban movie houses. She was active in the community, leading a Second World War salvage drive in Neepawa and collecting clothes for Russian refugees. She was active in many Jewish organizations and charities and was a past Worthy Matron in the Eastern Star. Among her children was Israel Asper, the founder of CanWest Global Communications group. She died at Winnipeg on 8 April 2002.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 April 2002, page 43.

This page was prepared by Kris Keen.

Page revised: 21 July 2015

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