I worked with Winnie for several years at Markville (shopping centre). Those were fun days where we both achieved personal success and an enduring friendship that lasted past our working period. Winnie was a consummate professional and loyal friend. On a few occasions I had the opportunity to spend time with her and her husband Bruce and found the source of her wonderful humour: a loving husband with at the time two very young girls that were testing their energy but never their love for them. Winnie had a laugh that was constant and distinctive. You could hear her long before you could see her. For such a petite woman it was quite remarkable. She always found strength to fight through all the challenges put in front of her with a grace that was distinctively Winnie. Although truly heartbroken for her and her family I am relieved her time for rest has come. My thoughts and prayers are with you Bruce, Liza and Ella and family. My hope is this deep sadness for your loss will be interrupted often with happy memories of better times with your wife and mother.
May you rest in peace now Winnie. When people think of you it will be of an image with your ever present smile. Thank you for your message. Chris
My sincere condolences on your loss.
Very sad to hear the news. My prayers and thoughts are with Bruce and the family.
I met Winnie at a TTC bus stop on our way to our first day at York University. We were both excited to meet someone — especially another out-of-towner — before stepping foot onto the huge campus in a big unfamiliar city. We quickly became friends, eventually taking some of the same classes and partnering on projects. I recall our frustration and Winnie’s infectious laughter as we learned to manoeuvre this strange new device called a computer mouse, before having to demonstrate its use to the entire class! Her intelligence, creativity and supreme organizational skills were always impressive. I’m so grateful that our friendship grew through our school years, travel, career moves, marriages, children and more, including countless Tuesday evenings spent enjoying new restaurants and arthouse films when we were single! It was wonderful to continue sharing laughter-filled get togethers as our families grew. Unfortunately as our schedules grew busier, we met less frequently. I’m heartbroken that we won’t enjoy more adventures together and will forever cherish the memories of the ones we had.
My family and I send our deepest condolences to Bruce, Liza and Ella, and to all her family members and friends who are missing our dear Winnie.