Obituary for Winifred Violet Gies
Winifred Violet Gies
Winifred Violet Gies passed away peacefully at Hospice Waterloo Region shortly before midnight on Sunday, January 22, 2023, three weeks short of her 106th birthday.
Born February 11, 1917, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, Winnie was the 6th of 8 children. She was predeceased by her three sisters and four brothers. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Cheri) Ann Kittredge (Frank) of Kitchener, and also several nieces, nephews, and great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, notably John Rawlings and Janet Turner (Rawlings) of Kent County, United Kingdom, and their children and grandchildren.
In 1946, Winnie flew to Canada to marry her fiancé, Albert Peter Gies of Kitchener, Ontario, who predeceased her in 1983. Albert had a cottage on the Conestoga River in St. Jacobs and, for the next 30 years, they spent most weekends there, relaxing and gardening in the summers, and ice fishing and sitting by a wood stove in winters. Winnie loved walks in nature with their dog, Lady. She would whistle to imitate bird calls and always exclaimed at sunset skies.
For more than 20 years, Winnie sewed for the Barrie Glove Company, first at their Kitchener factory and later at home. She was fashion savvy and an accomplished seamstress and she created many stylish garments and costumes for her daughter. She loved to shop, go to the theatre and occasionally have a flutter at the casino.
Winnie liked a gin and tonic and a good time. She was kind and pleasant to everyone. From the 1980's through 2015, she enjoyed travel and various activities with friends, and many visits and car excursions with her daughter and son-in-law. She briefly tried her hand at bridge, badminton, and line dancing, but for many years she regularly played Friday afternoon snooker with her friends at the Breithaupt Recreation Centre.
In 2016, two months before her hundredth birthday, Winnie moved from her Kitchener residence of 64 years to Beechwood Manor Retirement Home in Waterloo where she lived until January 19, 2023.
Winnie's family will receive relatives and friends at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener (519-749-8467) on Sunday, January 29 from 1-4 p.m.
Cremation has taken place. The family will be holding a private service at the graveside.
We wish to thank the caring staff at Beechwood Retirement Home and special thanks to Dr. Yew and the wonderful personnel at Hospice Waterloo Region who eased the final days for her and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hospice Waterloo Region or a charity of choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Cards are available through the funeral home.
Visit henrywalser.com for Winnie's memorial.
Winifred Violet Gies passed away peacefully at Hospice Waterloo Region shortly before midnight on Sunday, January 22, 2023, three weeks short of her 106th birthday.
Born February 11, 1917, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, Winnie was the 6th of 8 children. She was predeceased by her three sisters and four brothers. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl (Cheri) Ann Kittredge (Frank) of Kitchener, and also several nieces, nephews, and great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, notably John Rawlings and Janet Turner (Rawlings) of Kent County, United Kingdom, and their children and grandchildren.
In 1946, Winnie flew to Canada to marry her fiancé, Albert Peter Gies of Kitchener, Ontario, who predeceased her in 1983. Albert had a cottage on the Conestoga River in St. Jacobs and, for the next 30 years, they spent most weekends there, relaxing and gardening in the summers, and ice fishing and sitting by a wood stove in winters. Winnie loved walks in nature with their dog, Lady. She would whistle to imitate bird calls and always exclaimed at sunset skies.
For more than 20 years, Winnie sewed for the Barrie Glove Company, first at their Kitchener factory and later at home. She was fashion savvy and an accomplished seamstress and she created many stylish garments and costumes for her daughter. She loved to shop, go to the theatre and occasionally have a flutter at the casino.
Winnie liked a gin and tonic and a good time. She was kind and pleasant to everyone. From the 1980's through 2015, she enjoyed travel and various activities with friends, and many visits and car excursions with her daughter and son-in-law. She briefly tried her hand at bridge, badminton, and line dancing, but for many years she regularly played Friday afternoon snooker with her friends at the Breithaupt Recreation Centre.
In 2016, two months before her hundredth birthday, Winnie moved from her Kitchener residence of 64 years to Beechwood Manor Retirement Home in Waterloo where she lived until January 19, 2023.
Winnie's family will receive relatives and friends at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener (519-749-8467) on Sunday, January 29 from 1-4 p.m.
Cremation has taken place. The family will be holding a private service at the graveside.
We wish to thank the caring staff at Beechwood Retirement Home and special thanks to Dr. Yew and the wonderful personnel at Hospice Waterloo Region who eased the final days for her and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hospice Waterloo Region or a charity of choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Cards are available through the funeral home.
Visit henrywalser.com for Winnie's memorial.