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Mary Winnifred "Winnie" Kaufman

 

May 7, 1926  – January 4, 2022

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Passed away peacefully in her sleep at Lee Manor, Owen Sound on Tuesday, the 4th of January, 2022 in her 96th year.  Beloved mother of James Kaufman (Elsie Lipskie) of Hanover and Donna Kaufman (Kevin Gibson) of Chatsworth.  Loved grandmother of Krista Kaufman of Owen Sound, Robert Kaufman (Paige Gregory)  of Kemble, Michel Maisonneuve (Tracy Craig Flood) of Owen Sound, Martin Maisonneuve (Amanda Marklevitz) of Colpoy’s Bay, Cory Campbell (Grace McCaffrey Hogg) of Meaford, Laura Campbell (Brendan Mullin) of Meaford, Colin Gibson (Ella Clarke) of Hull, and Drew Gibson (Sara Rankin) of East Linton.  Cherished and missed by great-grandchildren Natalia, Dawsyn and Tatum Kaufman,  Hunter, Hudson and Hayden Maisonneuve,  Chantalle and Andre Maisonneuve, and Finley Gibson. Lovingly remembered by daughter-in-law Pat Gold (David) and sisters-in-law Marjorie McQuay and Nora Kaufman. Loved and predeceased by parents James Albert “Bert” and Gertrude Alberta “Betty” (Srigley) McQuay, husband Walter, son David and daughter Susan, sister Joyce and her husband Chris Lindsay of North Bay, and brother Lawrence McQuay of Barrie, step-father Isaac Carruthers, sisters-in-law Ella Lipskie, Ruth Kaufman and Betty Gabert and brothers-in-law Stanley Kaufman, Allen Kaufman, John Lipskie, and Chester Gabert. 

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Winnie was born and raised on a farm just outside of Ivy, attended high school in Barrie, and while away picking fruit with her sister caught the eye of Walter, a young man that had come down with some buddies from Desboro to a farm near Jordan Station.   In 1942, Walter enlisted in the army and was soon conveniently stationed at Camp Borden, only a few miles from Winnie’s home.  Their romance blossomed with every leave Walter could get.  She faithfully wrote and sent care packages while he was overseas during the war.  Shortly after his return from Europe in January 1946, Walter proposed to Winnie at the Scopis Restaurant in Owen Sound.  They were married September 8, 1946 in Winnie’s home and then moved to their recently purchased farm near Desboro.   Winnie was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran, later Faith Lutheran Church, and its Ladies Aid and Sunshine Committee, the Desboro Agricultural Society, Desboro Community Club, and the Desboro and Chatsworth Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and could often be found either watching or coaching ball, curling, dancing, quilting, knitting, volunteering in the food both at the local diamond or arena, or enjoying her favourite card games solo and euchre. After Walter’s death in 1968, Winnie quickly had to learn how to drive more than a tractor to take over Walter’s job as the mail carrier for RR #1 Desboro.  In 1977, she left the farm and moved to Desboro to become the Post Mistress running the post office out of the front of her newly acquired home.  She officially retired in September 1990 but could be found most days helping Pat, her daughter-in-law, continuing to deliver mail to RR #1 Desboro.  Winnie remained in her home into her late eighties, then moved to an apartment in Chatsworth, later to The Village at Revera in Hanover and finally to Lee Manor in Owen Sound.  She had a strong faith in God and was looking forward to being reunited with family and friends in heaven.  A loving and very kind woman, she will be greatly missed by all that knew her. 

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Arrangements have been entrusted to Garafraxa Hill Funeral Home, Chatsworth. A funeral service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, Desboro on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Brian Dunlop presiding. All attending the memorial service must observe Covid 19 Protocols.  Spring interment at Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery, Desboro. If desired, donations to Faith Lutheran Church or Chapman House would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com