Obituary

Winifred Ethel Maude Stewart

In Loving Memory of

Winifred Ethel Maude Stewart

(Maiden: Fulks)
of Edmonton, Alberta
Nov 18, 1917 - Oct 17, 2020

 

Winifred was born near London in England to Percy J. and Ethel M. FULKS. Her birth was registered in the District of Willesden, Sub-District of Kilburn, on Dec. 31, 1917. The P.J. FULKS family moved to Canada in 1920 with Winifred, baby brother Bob and 6 year old sister Kathleen. They settled on their farm near Radway, AB, in the School District of Martin Centre where these 3 children together with 7 younger arrivals attended school. The family later moved to a farm 4 miles NE of Waskatenau.

Win attained her Grade 9 education at Martin Centre School, then moved to Edmonton and worked as a caregiver until enlisting in the RCAF on March 28, 1942. She served mostly at Gander, NL and was discharged Dec. 21, 1945 at the rank of Leading Airwoman (LAW). Spinster/Dressmaker Winifred later met Bachelor/Warehouseman James S. Stewart (Jimmy), who later became an Edmonton Fireman, and they married Feb.28, 1948. They lived in the Inglewood and McQueen communities, then spent 7 years at Kensington Shepherd’s Care Inn before both were admitted to the Kipnes Centre for Veterans in June/July, 2013 due to health conditions. Jimmy pre-deceased Win on Aug. 21, 2013.

With her beloved nephew Fred at her side comforting her, Win left in peace to rejoin Jimmy and be with her God after a lifetime of caring for others, especially family. With Jimmy she spent many good times at their Buck Lake cabin with the Fireman’s Cohort, homemaking with Jimmy, laundering, sewing, gardening, canning, cleaning and cooking Jimmy’s catch-of-the-day. She was always attached closely to her family and had no children of her own.

Win lived more than 7 years at Kipnes Centre after losing her Jimmy. She also was predeceased by her parents Percy and Ethel FULKS, baby brother Arnold buried in England, sisters Kathleen (Bill) PRATHER, Elizabeth (Harry) PREEPER, Edith (James) MILLAR, brothers William (Bill), Robert (Bob), and Stanley, sisters-in-law Roberta (Dick’s), Josephine (best known as Bubs)(Bob’s) and Marion (Jack’s), brothers-in-law Bill Prather, Harry Preeper, Bob Jeffery and Jim Millar.

Win was also predeceased by Jimmy’s brother Donald, sisters Nan and Jessie, parents Andrew and Joan Stewart, brothers-in-law Walter (Waddy) Jowett (Andrena’s) and George Shirlaw (Jessie’s).

Win is survived by her sister Jessie Jeffery in Nanaimo, BC, brothers Jack in Sherwood Park and Richard (Dick) in Edmonton, sisters-in-law Leah (Stan’s) in Nanaimo, Vicky (Bill’s) in St. Albert, and Jimmy’s sisters Andrena (Walter) Jowett and Joan (Don) Strachan in Edmonton.

Many nieces, nephews and their spouses share in the loss of their beloved Aunt Winnie.

Win’s survivors want to express a huge measure of gratitude to each and every caregiver and administration staff at Kipnes Centre for their compassionate gentleness and kindly and effective care of Win over the past 7 years and 4 months. We salute their dedication and bravery in the ongoing occupational risks to them, and to their loved ones at home, and congratulate them on keeping all of the residents safe from the horrid Covid-19 virus.

Due to impracticalities of the times there will be no funeral. When conditions allow there may be a very small family memorial gathering. Interment of Winifred’s ashes with Jimmy’s will be at Beechmount Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Kipnes Centre for Veterans, 44 McCrae Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5E 6M8, or to other preferred charity.