family and friends as Win, passed away at The Elden of Bradford Retirement Residence on
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at the remarkable age of 95. She now joins her beloved
husband George (1998) and son Christopher (1978), and leaves behind her sister
Marguerite Adam, cousin Myrtle Crawford, her children Louise (Milton), Anne (Geoff), Frazer
(Marcie), and grandchildren, D’ette, Kimiko (Brendan), Raquel, Olivia, Sophia, Tenal,
Bryson, and Jaden.
Born June 28, 1925, in Klock, Ontario, Win was the eldest child of Emeline Lucinda Morrow
and Frederick Thomas Baker, sister to Tom and Marguerite, and half-sister to Charlie and
Fred Baker.
Win did not have an easy life as a child. Her father passed away when she was 10 years old,
and then at the age of 15, when her mother fell sick, Win had to quit school and work to
support the family. At 21, her mother passed away as well, leaving Win as sole support to
her younger siblings. She was a hard worker with many jobs: wool winder at Bates & Innes
Woolen Mill during World War II, sales lady at Darou’s Bakery, receptionist for the local Dr.
MacDowall, and salesperson for Rexall Drugs. In 1951, Win moved to Toronto, where she
studied Mothercraft nursing and worked as a Well Baby nurse, developing close and
long-lasting relationships with her colleagues and many of the families for whom she cared.
However, after hearing about a job offer with isolation pay at a mine in Elliot Lake, Win,
always up for a challenge, took a leap of faith and headed north to work as the bookkeeper
for Northspan Uranium Mines. Playing pranks with the mine’s handsome geological
engineer, George Bourchier, swiftly blossomed into love, and then commenced a year of
long-distance courtship with love letters sent back and forth between Sudbury and
Temagami, while Win worked concurrently as a neonatal nurse at Sudbury General hospital
and at Falconbridge Mine in Sudbury. Win and George were married on September 2, 1957
in East Toronto.
Win and George made their first family home in Downsview, Ontario while George worked
passionately on his career as a physics teacher at Earl Haig Secondary School. For two
years, Win worked as a secretary in the Obstetrics Department at Toronto East General
Hospital. Soon after, Win attended night school and completed her high school diploma, all
while raising four small children and fostering babies in need for the Children’s Aid Society.
In 1967, Win and George purchased an acreage of farmland in King Township, originally
owned by George’s Uncle Ned, and they moved the family north. Here they built their forever
home, fondly dubbed “The Manor,” where many memories were created: skating and
tobogganing in the winters, celebrating lively Christmases with extended family, and
cultivating a pristine, weed-free garden that was harvested and preserved by Win to feed the
family during winter.
Having grown up during the Depression and WWII years, Win appreciated the value of being
frugal. She was a consummate homemaker. Home-cooked meals (including tasty desserts!)
were on the table every night when George got home from work. She sewed dresses for her
girls, painted rooms throughout the house, and stripped and upholstered furniture. And what
a hostess! The door was always open for friends and family, and folks would travel many
miles for a visit, a cup of tea, and a hearty meal. Win’s kind and considerate nature meant
that she made friends easily - whether through the Parent-Teachers Association, square
dancing, teas, bazaars in Kettleby village hall, Anglican Church Women’s Guild, Concerned
Citizens association, Dickens Fellowship, St. Paul’s Runnymede Altar Guild, her book and
opera clubs, Bible studies or Gaelic classes, and many more circles.
Always a trouper, Win put on a brave face no matter where George’s adventures led her and
the children; canoeing, portaging, and hiking the wilderness were always part of summer fun.
Win loved to travel, driving across Canada with the family on several occasions. After
George retired, they traveled together to Newfoundland and the Maritimes, the U.K.,
Australia, and New Zealand. Later, after George, the love of her life, passed away, she
traveled as far as Alaska and South Africa.
Anyone who knew Win knew how much she loved to learn, and to read! Her passion for
reading was kindled during her early years in the Ottawa Valley; her father made sure there
were always books in the house. Win loved to tell us about the time when her mother had
asked her father to buy essential kitchen supplies while he was in town, and he instead
came back with a car full of books, to her mother’s marked chagrin. Later in life, her
favourites were Charles Dickens’ novels and historical fiction, but she also couldn’t get
enough of Louise Penny’s mystery novels and the Outlander series. Win was well-read in
world history, the British monarchy, and geography, and she was often consulted for her
expertise by many in her acquaintance.
A naturally-gifted writer and raconteur extraordinaire, Win loved to keep in touch with her
extensive network of friends and family all around the world, from her Mothercraft friends,
her daughters’ former piano teachers, George’s former students, to distant cousins of the
family. She was such a talented writer, in fact, that her numerous letters to the editor got her
a job offer at the newspaper, which she graciously declined. So many of us had our days
brightened by Win’s spirited storytelling! Some of her other special talents included: reciting
lengthy poems and lyrics from memory, composing cheeky limericks, outsmarting her
grandchildren at cribbage, maintaining a steady hand during cut-throat games of Pick-up
sticks, and baking all sorts of delicious goodies for her children and grandchildren.
Win’s kindness, determination, keen wit, and great wisdom from life experience will be
deeply missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Covenant House, St. Paul’s Runnymede
Anglican Church, King Township Food Bank, or Christ Church Anglican, Kettleby. A
Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when pandemic restrictions are lifted.
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