Sarita Benchimol

Suddenly, on September 26, 2025, surrounded by her family. Exceptional and loving mother and mother-in-law of Ilka, Daphne (Yehouda), and Serge, her adored nephew, whom she called her son. Adoring Mio of Ben (Aliza), Aliza, Micah, Ella, Anaelle, Liora, Emma, Ethan, Asher, and Eden. Dear sister and sister-in-law of Alice (Harold), Eliane, Anita (David), the late Monique, and the late Isaac. Caring partner of Ernie. She leaves behind Georges with whom she raised their two beautiful children.

She was an amazing aunt, devoted cousin, and cherished friend. A pioneer in her field of cancer research, Sarita was a force and a pillar, with an extraordinary ability to connect with anyone she met. She will be deeply missed by her colleagues and countless friends from every corner of the world.

Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., Montreal, on Sunday, September 28, at 2:00 pm. Burial at Russian Polish #2 Section, Baron de Hirsch Cemetery, de la Savane. Donations in Sarita’s memory may be made to Colorectal Cancer Canada to honour her dedication to cancer research. (click here or call 514.875.7899)

“Mom — we will do everything we can to carry forward your legacy, bringing honour, peace, and harmony to the world.”

Subitement, le 26 septembre 2025, entourée de sa famille. Mère exceptionnelle et aimante d’Ilka, Daphne (Yehouda), et Serge, son neveu adoré, qu’elle appelait son fils. Grand-maman Mio adorée de Ben (Aliza), Aliza, Micah, Ella, Anaëlle, Liora, Emma, Ethan, Asher et Eden. Chère sœur et belle-sœur d’Alice (Harold), Eliane, Anita (David), feu Monique et feu Isaac. Partenaire attentionnée d’Ernie. Elle laisse dans le deuil Georges, avec qui elle a élevé leurs deux beaux enfants.

C'était une tante formidable, une cousine dévouée et une amie chère. Pionnière dans son domaine de la recherche sur le cancer, Sarita était une force et un pilier, dotée d'une capacité extraordinaire à créer des liens avec tous ceux qu'elle rencontrait. Elle manquera profondément à ses collègues et ses innombrables amis du monde entier.

Les funérailles auront lieu au complexe funéraire Paperman & Sons, 3888, boul. Jean-Talon Ouest, Montréal, le dimanche 28 septembre à 14 h. L’inhumation suivra dans la section Russian Polish no 2, cimetière Baron de Hirsch, De la Savane. Des dons à la mémoire de Sarita peuvent être faits à Cancer colorectal Canada, afin d’honorer son engagement envers la recherche sur le cancer. (cliquez ici ou composez le 514 875-7899)

“Maman, nous ferons tout ce que nous pouvons pour perpétuer ton héritage, en apportant honneur, paix et harmonie au monde. ”

Dearest Sarita

In our first conversation when we first met, you told me that your goal in life was to be remembered as someone positively affecting the lives of as many as possible.
There are hundreds of people in this room and tens of thousands outside of it who will bear testimony that not only is your mission accomplished, but it is so in the grandest fashion.

Your contribution as a professional bio scientist alone would have achieved that, highlighted by your numerous research projects relating genetics to the development of cancers. Your effort resulted in more than 43 scientific publications credited to you. Your expertise in cloning and cell structure as applied to oncology gained you worldwide recognition. That would also have sufficed in attaining your stated life’s mission. But it was not within your nature to rest.

You rose higher to help establish and take charge of the cancer research center at McGill University resulting in the improvement in the quality of life of thousands. All the while you gained the respect and admiration of your hundreds of colleagues and peers here at home and globally. You remembered their names and kept in touch with each and every one of them, with many until the end of their lives.

Then you debuted a career of entrepreneurship founding two biotech firms, Fayzteck and Medimabs, both still active today. All of the above you did, not for glory or monetary reward, but rather to help people.

Sarita was blessed with a rare deeply-analytical mind coupled to a sharp and long memory. It worked to her advantage in her professional career instilling in her the faith and confidence that no endeavor was impossible provided it is approached with the proper strategy. Her positivity was contagious.

Sarita’s communal work involved fundraising not only for cancer research but also for projects in her local community. Her name became synonymous with caring. She was deeply involved in propping up the quality of education and was a member of school boards in both the Jewish and Public-school systems.

The unique Sarita effect was that once you met her you were drawn in, never to be forgotten both in her mind and in her deeds. Her follow-up process kicked in and would remain long term. If it was too late in the day to call somebody in Montreal, she would reconnect with someone in Israel, or France, or Costa Rica among other countries. Her relatives and professional colleagues encircle the globe. She routinely stayed in touch with each and every one of them regularly as if they lived around the block. Her persona drew people like a magnet from everywhere.

I recall when together during a trip to Israel, we had just been seated at a restaurant in the Jerusalem Ramada Inn. Within moments we saw an Arab waiter guiding an elderly gentleman who was visually impaired and sat him down at the table adjacent to ours. I was extremely impressed by the demeanor of the waiter who addressed this gentleman in Hebrew with gentleness, ultra courtesy and the highest of respect. In fact, I was so impressed that I commented to Sarita in French about the waiter’s laudable and exemplary behavior. To wit the gentleman leaned over toward me and said in French: “It has been a long time since I have heard such a robust Quebecois dialect.” Sarita smiled and seized the opportunity to strike up a warm conversation. She learned that the man’s family name was Ben Naim, and he was directly related to her second cousin in Spain. Mr. Ben Naim turned out to be a language interpreter and linguistics professor at Hebrew University. And so was created another contact never to be forgotten and to be maintained.

After leaving the realm of research and entrepreneurship, Sarita dedicated her life to helping cancer patients. She set out to counteract patient trauma upon discovery of the presence of his disease. Then, by guiding him through the complex health care network his chances of recovery could be maximized. This was a program that Sarita innovated. She also served on tumor boards advocating for optimum patient care. News of her work became widespread and the frequency of calls from patients steadily grew. And yet each patient received the Sarita smile and personalized attention that had come to be her trademark. When a patient phone call would arrive on her cell phone at home at 9:00PM, the reaction was always the same and immediate: “I have to take this call.”

Sarita encouraged Torah learning. Her apartment 1106 had become a mini-Yeshiva one night a week where Sarita hosted as many as 30 women with her personally prepared gourmet meals for which she was renowned, while they would congregate to learn Tanach and Halachot. She concluded in her mind, that if Hashem assigned points for ma’asim tovim, she would become a champion.

With all other activities constantly in the background, Sarita’s family, relatives and particularly her grandchildren have remained in the foreground. “Mio” is the name by which the children address Sarita and the bond formed by each one is as unique as the individual child. Each one has his own hotline to Mio, used on a daily routine and emergency basis. They do school work with Mio, and try to excel for Mio, and are eager to learn from Mio every detail about the vast family interrelationships, information of which Mio is the master custodian. She is the super force that not only keeps the family together but unites it with the past and its family tree.

What is the magnet that has drawn so many in the world to Sarita and what can be learned from it?
Among the 13 attributes of Hashem there are 3 which mirror Sarita – Hanun, Verachum, and Rav Chesed – Graciousness, compassion, and abundant kindness. Sarita is the embodiment of these attributes which have elevated her charisma, charm and love of her fellow man. Everyone was important to her, whether it be a child or a traffic cop attempting to issue a citation. And her caring was manifested in a genuine empathetic manner. Those of us here today have been touched by her love and charisma.

OUR Sarita, you will constantly remain in our hearts.
My Sarita, I will always love you.

T'hay Nishmata Tsrura Betsror Hachaim
May her soul be bound up in the bond of life