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Usha Rani Sharma danced for world leaders, and later taught dance to Winnipeggers.
Usha’s name translates to dawn or sunrise, and her family says the early-morning sun was streaming through her window at the hospital when she died Jan. 31 at the age of 78.
Usha trained to be a dancer and teacher of Kathak, one of the major types of Indian classical dance. It uses dance to tell stories.
Usha’s family says she was taught to dance under the legendary gurus Gopi Krishna, Sitara Devi (known as the Queen of Kathak) and noted tabla player Pandit Shanta Prasad.
She won 1963’s All-India Dance Competition, and performed for both U.S. president John F. Kennedy and Indian president Jawaharial Nehru.
Usha spent years with the Sachin Shankar Dance Ballet and Birju Maharaj’s Kalakendra Company in Delhi, and then moved to Winnpieg in 1977.
She founded the Jhankaar School of Dance and Music and, in 1996, served as artistic director of Manohar Performing Arts of Canada.
Many Winnipeggers saw her choreography in performances of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker in December.
Usha’s family says her “unerring vision shaped not just performances, but generations of dancers in Winnipeg and beyond, whose art will be her legacy.
“You are dancing your way to the imperishable stars and we will never forget.”
Usha was predeceased by her parents and two brothers and is survived by her son and a brother.
Read more about Usha.
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How They Lived
Judy Lehn was a gifted cook and baker who dreamed of opening a restaurant.
Happily, that dream came true when she bought what became Deeds Deli in the Exchange District in 1983.
It was the go-to place for business people in the area for years and it also catered for wedding receptions at both the Centennial Concert Hall and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Judy, who was was 78 when she died Feb. 1, later had a successful career in human resources at both the Interlake Health Authority and the Winnipeg Public Library.
After retiring, she was an advocate for the preservation of historic buildings including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church near Gardenton, Man., as well as buildings in Osborne Village.
Read more about Judy.
Bob Hamlin served with the military — and then enlisted in the church.
Bob, who died Jan. 30 at 94 years of age, joined the Royal Canadian Engineers when he was 17 and stayed for eight years.
He then went on to get a masters degree in theology at United College before being ordained in the United Church.
Bob served in Red Lake, Ont., and in Roblin, Man., before returning to Winnipeg and serving at Home Street, Maryland and John Black Memorial United churches, as well as several years in Winnipeg Presbytery administration.
Read more about Bob.
Lucie Pimentel moved to Winnipeg from Italy and became a hairdresser, all before she was even an adult.
Lucie, who was 66 when she died Feb. 4, was seven when her family moved here from Italy, and she took up hairdressing when she was just 16 years old.
She worked more than 40 years in the profession, opening two salons: Locks and Curls in 1982, and later 2Create Hair. Her family says her client relationships often transformed into deep, loyal friendships, and she deeply loved the work.
Lucie’s family was “eternally grateful” for the double lung transplant she received in 2024.
Read more about Lucie.
Gordon Newton believed education extended beyond the classroom.
Gordon, who died Jan. 27 at 94 years of age, served in the St. Vital School Division as a teacher, principal and superintendent.
He championed hands-on learning and vocational education until his retirement in 1986.
Gordon was a founding director and vice chair of what was formerly known as the Bishop Grandin Greenway — now Awasisak Meskanow Greenway — working to preserve greenspace for future generations. He was honoured with the dedication of a park bench recognizing founding directors.
Read more about Gordon.
Marnie Frain trained as a doctor and fought for the working class.
Marnie, who died Jan. 29, graduated from the University of Manitoba’s medical school before moving to Quebec.
She opened a family practice in Ville St. Pierre and worked there 26 years, then helped geriatric patients for another 15.
Earlier in life, both Marnie and her husband, Avrum, ran for the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada in federal elections.
Read more about Marnie.
A Life’s Story
Marion Lewis wasn’t a medical doctor, but she saved the lives of many babies.
Marion, who was 100 when she died Oct. 18, took a one-year medical laboratory technology course at the University of Manitoba and then was hired by Winnipeg pediatrician Dr. Bruce Chown to help develop an Rh laboratory here.
Dr. Marion Lewis, seen here in 1971, died in October at the age of 100. (Winnipeg Tribune / University of Manitoba Archives)
That laboratory went on to effectively create a cure for Rh disease, which occurred when a Rh-negative mother carried a Rh-positive baby.
Marion went on to become a leader in the field of hematology and was honoured with the Order of Canada.
“Her work contributed to, and was one of the building blocks, of the ensuing decades of interest and development at the university of world-class studies in health and disease,” Dr. Arnold Naimark, dean emeritus of the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, told writer Graham McDonald.
Read more about Marion’s life here in our weekly feature.
Until next time, I hope you continue to write your own life’s story.
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