Death of Paula Abdul’s mother brings Minnedosa attention
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Winnipeg Free Press subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $4.99 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/01/2018 (2800 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
From People magazine to Entertainment Tonight, Minnedosa received some unexpected attention in the celebrity world this week.
The small Manitoba town was once home to Lorraine Abdul (nee Rykiss), the mother of pop singer and dancer Paula Abdul.
Sadly, Lorraine passed away at the age of 85 on Sunday in California.
According to Entertainment Tonight, Lorraine was best known for supporting her daughter, but she also was a woman of many talents including a concert pianist.
Lorraine lived in both Winnipeg and Minnedosa as a youth, and her grandparents ran a general store in Minnedosa in the 1940s, according to The Shoal Lake Star archives.
The Rykiss family was one of two Jewish families in Minnedosa at the time. At one point Lorraine dated Izzy Asper before moving to the United States, according to Toronto Star archives. Asper went on to become a media magnate and is credited with the idea to establish the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
Lorraine moved to Los Angeles in 1953, where she raised her family — daughter Wendy was born in 1955 and Paula in 1962.
Minnedosa Mayor Ray Orr said there was always the rumour of an Abdul connection to the town, but he has never run into anyone with a direct relation.
“Minnedosa produces lots of good ones, I guess,” he said with a laugh. “I never knew the family … but it’s great that somebody with her reputation has ties to Minnedosa. Any good PR we can get out of that is great, so that’s wonderful.”
» The Brandon Sun