WINNIFRED GERTRUDE THOMAS (SHIELD)

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WINNIFRED GERTRUDE THOMAS (nee SHIELD) Winnie died peacefully on Monday, January 22, 2007 at the Golden West Centennial Lodge at the age of 102 years. Winnie was born in St. Thomas, ND and moved to Grandview, MB as a young child. At 18 years of age she began her teaching career, which eventually brought her to Victoria Beach, where she met and married Walter George Thomas, raised her family and supported Walter through his many business adventures. Winnie was an active participant in the community of Victoria Beach as school teacher, piano teacher, organist at St. Michael's Church, Merry Makers and the Senior's Association. Her family will miss her loving and comforting presence. She is survived by her sister Doris Nicholas (Alfred) of Winnipeg; her children, Reginald (Cheryl) Thomas of Winnipeg, Shirley (Raymond) Lavallee of Pine Falls, Leslie (Diane) Thomas of Winnipeg, Gail (Donald) Green of Saskatoon, Lynda (Albert) Bowman of Winnipeg, Wayne (Carole) Thomas of Victoria Beach, and by special friends Rae Thomas and Larrette Thomas, 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Winnie was predeceased by her husband Walter in 1986, after 59 years of marriage; by her sisters, Helen of Toronto, Vera of Winnipeg, Merle of Brandon and her brother Lloyd of Kenora, ON. A sincere appreciation is extended to the staff of the 5th floor at the Salvation Army's Golden West Centennial Lodge where Winnie was a resident for nine years. Donations may be made in Winnie's memory to the Golden West Centennial Lodge, 811 School Road, Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0S8 or to St. Michael's Church, Victoria Beach, MB R0E 2C0. A service honouring Winnie's life will be held at St. Michael's Church, Victoria Beach in July, 2007. Winnie's arrangements have been entrusted to Wojcik's Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, 897-4665.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2007