Winnifred Margaret (Richardson) Redman

Winnifred Margaret Redman (nee Richardson) born Tuesday August 18, 1931 in Toronto passed peacefully on Sunday April 9, 2023 at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. A "Full-on Leo Redhead": "strong willed" doesn't even begin to describe it.

The oldest of 3 children born to Andrew Richardson (d.1978) and Winnifred Maude Richardson (nee Stewart) (d 2001). Both her younger brothers, David Richardson and Andrew Richardson survive their sister. She married Flying Officer Leonard J. Redman on July 3, 1954 at RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen, Germany where dad was posted to fly F-86 Sabre jets. Mom considered the time spent there as one of the highlights of her life, enjoying travel all over Europe, and the camaraderie of squadron life. It was also difficult as Mom and Dad lost many good friends owing to the dangers of military aviation in those days.

Returning to Canada in early 1956, the next stop was Trenton, Ontario where dad trained to be an instructor pilot. Mom and Dad moved to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba in summer of 1956, dad being assigned as an instructor pilot to the No. 2 Advanced Flying School. The oldest of her two boys was born - Leonard Derek Redman (d. 2001) on December 13, 1956 at Portage La Prairie. The family returned to Ontario in mid 1957, first living with Len's parents on the family farm in Concord, later moving to Etobicoke, finally settling in King City. Mom's second son, Michael Andrew Redman was born on February 1, 1964.

Mom found ways to contribute to King City by volunteering with the Canadian Cancer Society, later working at the Crawford Wells General Store and the public library in King City. Len and Win were divorced in the early '90s and she moved to Richmond Hill, where she led a very independent and active life in the same location right up until 3 weeks before her passing. She spent about 20 of those years volunteering at the Richmond Hill Hospital having been awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2006.

Win also spent many years serving on the condo board of the building she lived in, providing guidance and keeping the other board members fed with cookies. In 1994 her only granddaughter, Hannah Redman, was born and Win took great joy in having overnights with Hannah at Granny's place, with regular baking lessons, and much consumed bacon! Each phase of her adult life presented to her a need for strength and independence. That strength created strong opinions:she either loved something, hated something or it didn't exist at all in her world. Win was a passionate sports fan, her favourites being professional golf, Blue Jays baseball, and Formula 1 racing. A pretty voracious reader and a lover and supporter of classical music, Win often traveled to Toronto with her friend Sheila to enjoy the TSO. Win enjoyed driving and drove a stick-shift right up until early this year.

She will be keenly missed by other surviving family: sisters-in-law Anne Katz (Dave), Jane Howe (Bruce), daughters-in-law, Dr. Kim-Marie Redman, Jill Tomczak-Redman, and Susan Calder, nieces Nancy Zander (Claus), Missy Redman, Katie Richardson, Drew Richardson (Hannah), Libbie Listowich (Mark). Great-aunt to Geoffrey Katz, Ryan Bender (Christine), Daniel Bender (Megan) and Kimberley Redman. Great-Great Aunt to Kyle, Elizabeth and Chase Bender, Gray and Miles Richardson, Willamina and Juniper Listowich.

Family and friends are invited to participate in an informal gathering in honour of Win, from 4pm to 8pm at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway S., Aurora, Ontario, featuring pictures, Win's favourite music, maybe a story or two and some light food available around 6pm. Mom's cremated remains will be later interred beside Len's resting place at the Kettleby Cemetery. In the hospital, Win told family that she's waited almost 27 years to re-start the argument.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mackenzie Health Foundation or World Vision Canada

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Redman family.