Winnie, born August 13, 1933, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2022 in Bradford, Ontario with members of her family at her side.
Born in Timmins, Ontario and orphaned at an early age, Winnie ended up in Bear Lake, Ontario where she met and married the love of her life Bernard. They had 9 children – Diana, Paul, Ron, Rick, Jim, Brenda, Mark, Pete, and Wayne. She was a proud and loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
In 1961 Winnie & Bernard moved their growing family to Bolton where they put down roots. Winnie made sure their home was always a welcoming place, and there was once a time when you would have been hard pressed to find a person in town who hadn’t at some point passed through their doors or shared a meal at their lively crowded table. For 54 years the grey brick house on the North Hill was the Wilson’s. Winnie & Bernard built a cottage in Bear Lake and spent many summers making family memories that live on in our hearts and minds.
A lover of sports, you would find her at the arena or baseball diamond not quietly cheering on her kids. “I want them playing sports, not hanging out on the street corner” was a quote of hers that became law and helped to build strength and character in all her children.
She worked tirelessly as a devoted housewife until the day her youngest entered grade 1 when she added a new job as crossing guard at Ellwood School to her list of duties. Eventually she left this position to return to her first profession as a mail carrier, which she had started at the age of 9 in Bear Lake carrying the mail bag to and from the train station every day.
She was a strong and caring person who will be missed by all who knew her.
Cremation has taken place.
The Wilson family would like to welcome all to join us for a Celebration of Life visitation on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 12 noon until 2 o’clock at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S (Hwy 50), Bolton (905-857-2213)
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Rhea Dalton
Tio all the Wilson kids. So sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was a lovely lady and a good friend to many.
Sharon and Howard Venning
To the Wilson family
Your Mom was always a figure in Bolton whether it was at a school function. a sporting event or you could find her travelling along her mail route. I remember going to school with Diana and then playing soft ball with Winnie as adults. We also helped her out with her mail route when she travelled out west one summer. She was a great Lady and a real pleasure to have known her in so many ways. Keep your memories close to your heart and she will always be near.
RIP Winnie
Jane & Don Chapman
So sorry to hear of Winnies passing. We spent many years at the bowling alley having a great laugh on the Wicked Wednesday Nighters.
Diana Bayley
So very sorry to hear about Winnie. I remember her well from our days in Bolton. A truly lovely lady. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Jim and Heidi Sant
Our sincere condolences to all the Wilson’s and their families.
Dan & Susan Adams
So sorry to hear of Winnies passing. She was such a lovely lady, & our memory of her was that she was such a lovely lady, so friendly & always had a smile on her face. May she R.I.P.
Terry & Wayne
Sincere condolences to our sister-in-law Diana and her siblings. Winnie was a beautiful person inside and out….always a friendly smile greeted those who met her. Rest In peace sweet lady.
Don Norris & Carolyn
Carolyn and I send our sincere condolences to Winn’s family. Winn was very well liked by many.
Donna Dawson
Winnie was a gem in every way & certainly will be missed by all who knew her.
LeeAnne Rescorl
To the Wilson Family,
Deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom. Let the memories of all the fun times carry you through this most difficult time. Mother’s hold their children’s hands for a while, but their hearts forever. A mother is someone who never leaves us. All of the wonderful things she brought into this world will live on forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
LeeAnne
Shirley Preston
To all the Wilson Kids.
So sorry for your loss, your mom very kind to our family. I remember riding in the back seat of her car as she drove Mark and Lynn to school in Milton. After dropping them off she would take my mom and me to pick apples.
So many memories.
May she Rest In Peace.
Connie Vanstone
To All the Wilson Family.
I am so sorry to hear of Winnies passing. I had the privilege of working with Winnie at the Bolton Post Office for many years. She was a hard working dedicated “Lady” who was a pleasure to work with. Keep all your memories close in your heart and she will be with you always. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Connie
Diane Killam
To the entire Wilson Family: I met your mom 43 years ago, where? At the arena of course!! We became fast friends from that day on. We had many great times…she and I…with our husbands…mostly with the kids. Going to hockey in winter, baseball in summer. We had many adventures and misadventures. I have missed her the past few years and will miss her even more. Keep those wonderful memories of a kind, caring, thoughtful person your mother was. I remember when she took Dwayne to the cottage and people there asked her who this kid was. She told them she adopted him. Word spread around the Lake that Winnie has 9 kids and she goes and adopts another one. Is she crazy??? We got a chuckle out of that. We went to play euchre one night and her friends and neighbours asked her what tribe I belonged to. Great memories, fun times. RIP my dear friend.
Sharon Pickett
With our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.
Tom and Sharon Pickett
Marg Pilson
To all the Wilson’s
You guys won the lottery in the “Mom pool”
Such a kind and considerate, lovely lady.
I have lots of great memories.
Hope you all have at least one recipe that will make you cry when you make it,
then the memories and laughter will take you right back to her.
Proud to be a friend.
Marg
Lorrie and Carmine Pitoscia
To the family
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom, our deepest condolences. Your mom was such an incredible person. No one can ever forget her kindness. Take comfort in your memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve.
Carmine and Lorrie
Sharron MacDonell
To the Wilson family
I just wanted to reach out and offer my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother
Your mother was a beautiful soul who made time for everyone, made you feel welcome and special
I’m sure you’s all have many memories, hold them tightly, she will always be there with you’s in your hearts
Such a beautiful picture of Aunt Winnie, that’s how I want to remember her
My thoughts are with you’s all
Tim & Sharron (Housh) MacDonell
Judith Van Allen
Sincere condolances to the Wilson family.
We go back a long way and Winnifred I can truly say was a hard worker, loving mother and very kind to us when we were her neighbour’s.
I’m sure she will be truly missed.
Lyle Secord
Sending love and prayers to our Wilson cousins – Aunt Winnie was a welath of love,humours,caring for all the cousins that visited her – her laughter was something to hear.
God Bless you all
Lyle and Janet Secord
Micheline Robichaud
To the Wilson family Sorry to hear about Winnie. I only met her twice in her later years, she was a lovely lady. Will be missed by all
Karen Witherspoon
To The Wilson Family:
Your mom was a beautiful lady with a kind and giving soul. Although we only had a few brief years with her, it was heartwarming to witness the love she had for her family. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. Rest In Peace Winnie .
Karen & Doug Witherspoon
Lynne Young
Big hugs to my long time friend Diana and to all of her siblings. May your Mom RIP.
Tammy Nelson
So sorry for your loss. Aunt Winnie was one of my favourite memories as a kid going to Bear Lake to see great Gramps Wilson. She was always happy to see us kids or at least she led me to believe that I was missed and loved. It is hard to loose a mom but your memories and the thought and memories shared by friends and family will ease the loss with time.
Donna and Wayne Kirby
A lovely tribute to a beautiful person! We are saddened to hear of Winnie’s passing, she will definitely be missed by all those whose lives she has touched. Thinking of you all at this most difficult time and sending heartfelt condolences. R.I.P. Winnie.
Jeannie Baker
Very sorry to hear of your moms passing. She was a strong and family oriented woman. She made the best pie crust I’ve ever had. I hope to be able to come in June to see you all.♥️
Chris Nelson
My condolences to the Wilson family.
glen hutchinson
on behalf of the Hutchinson family we offer our deepest condolences to the Wilson Clan on the loss of your mother. I can remember spending many days/nights with the Wilson boys and Mrs Wilson always made us feel at home. God bless all of you as your mom goes with the angels on her next journey.
Glen Hutchinson
Mike & Jackie Nelson
To Winnies family
Very sorry, and sad, to hear of her passing. A great lady. Aunt Winnie always had a smile and made you feel welcome no matter what. She will be missed
Lori Sherlock
Many including me will hold Winnie in their hearts . Such a good listener, a kind & welcoming woman. I will cherish the lessons she taught me . Her strength and big heart will always be admired. Rest In Peace . Sending love to the Wilson Families
Cam Lindsey
To the Wilson Family…. Sorry to hear of the passing of Winnie. She was a Bolton icon…. known and loved by so many people. She will be missed by all. Condolences to your family.
Doug Kirby
My Condolences to the Wilson Family, on the loss of your mother.
Jessica Wilson
My dearest family,
Grandma was the glue that held this family together for so many years.
I have fond memories from when I was a child cottaging at Bear Lake, swimming and walking the trails with Grandma and the family. I miss her dearly and miss these times together.
Going to Grandma and Grandpa’s was the place to be. My brother Cliff and I were often taken in loved, fed and cared for. I remember watching sports and game shows on days that I was sick and would stay home from school. I will cherish the memories of cooking and gardening with her and all the memories of countless gatherings she hosted over the years.
I swear I get my love for travel and adventure from Grandma. I loved hearing stories of their travels across the globe. I remember a photo taken in I believe British Columbia hot springs with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Wayne that was on the kitchen windowsill. I made it a point to travel to hot springs and waterfalls over the years and when I do, this particular photo comes to mind, and I imagine them there with me.
My heart is with you all and I hope to be able to return to celebrate Grandma’s life and see you all again.
With love from sunny California,
Jessica
Helen Morden
To the Wilson family
Sorry for the loss of your mom.
He always had a smile and so happy to see everyone.
See will be missed
Margaret, Steve and David, Rose Sant and family
Very sorry to hear of your Mums passing Rick.
Ken and Lynn Housh
Sending our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother, and wishing you comfort during this sad time.
May precious memories of your Mom , carry you through the difficult days that lie ahead.
Thoughts and prayers are with you .
Jim and Dianne Wilson
It’s a sad feeling to realize that one of the last of her generation has passed taking with her the memories of my childhood that have always been cherished whether they were from Maple, Bear Lake, or Bolton. Aunt Winnie and Uncle Bernard, along with the whole Bolton Wilson family, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Glenn Housh
To the Wilson Family
Our deep condolences to Winnie’s family , prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Rest In Peace Aunt Winnie.
Glenn & Debbie Housh
The Housh Family
Our deepest condolences to all of the Wilson’s. Many years living next door and many years having a cottage just down the road resulted in some fond memories for our Family, from the famous Christmas Eve gatherings with Aunt Winnie’s famous meat pies, or to just pop in for a cup of tea. We will miss her dearly,
The Housh Family
Krista Lloyd (Venning)
My condolences to the Wilson family, thinking of you all. I enjoyed playing baseball on Bolton Florist with Winnie for many years in the ladies league, always happy and always had a smile on her face. Fun times . RIP
Jerry Beausoleil
A fine lady remembered at Bear Lake from long ago.
Joan Marilyn Housh
Dear Wilson Family:
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful and special mother.
Winsome was a dear and thoughtful person who always took the time to brighten someone’s day.
I have so many memories of our times together and our long talks and walks up the hill in Bolton and through the cemetery.
I remember our trip to Tadousac in Quebec and she saw the baby whale jump out of the water with its mother and Winsome had tears in her eyes.
She has always been so special to me and I will always hold our many memories in my heart forever.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of her dear family. Remember her well. Her smiles and kindness will live with us all forever.
May she Rest In Peace in God’s Garden.
Sadly missed and forever remembered. My dearest friend and sister-in-law. Love you all. Aunt JoanMarilynHoush
Nancy Moffatt and Family
To the Entire Wilson family our sincere condolences. Winnie was a fierce cheerleader and a strong supporter of all that was Bolton. Again our condolences to the Wilson family.
Doug and Jackie Secord
To the Wilson Family, we are very sorry to hear of your great loss of Aunty Winnie. Great memories of Aunty Winnie, Uncle Bernard, Mom and Dad standing in the bleachers giving heck to anyone who raised a hockey stick to us on the rink. They were great at supporting us and our biggest fans up in the bleachers. She was one of the kindest ladies to cross my path. She will be dearly missed.
Mary Lou lerra
Dear Melissa, Adam, Mackenzie, and Isla
We are so sorry to hear the loss of Winnie, a beautiful grandmother and great grandmother.
May special memories you shared with your Grandmother bring you comfort.
Love The Lerra Family
Geri Parkes
Bob and I were saddened to hear of Winnie’s passing. Sending much love and healing to the Wilson family.
Bob Parkes and Geri Holychuk Parkes.
Currie & Shirley Phillips
Our condolences to the whole Wilson clan on the passing of a wonderful Matriarch. Aunt Winnie was the gold standard for hospitality and congeniality. We always were made to feel we were a welcome part of the family whenever we visited and were thrilled to be there. God bless you all as you go on in life reinforced by the memory of such a lovely woman. You’re in my thoughts & prayers , Currie Phillips
Diane Wilson
My sincerence condolences for your loss.
She was a remarkable and unforgettable woman who will be missed by all.
Isabelle Bottoms
So sorry to hear that Win has passed. Thinking of all of you with sympathy, and hope that you find comfort in your special memories of Win. She was a great neighbour.
Tracey Murray
I am so very sorry to hear of Winns passing – my sincere condolences to all the family – she was a lovely caring lady and a heck of a euchre player – I will always remember her kindness to others Tracey Murray
Sandy Bissonette
I truly lost a best friend!
Bingo
Baseball
Shopping
Delivering mail
Tea in the rock garden
Several and many vacations at Bear Lake.
Untold and numerous card games
TV blaring blue Jay’s and in the stands watching.
I love ya
Xoxo