Winifride Rowe was born Winifride Swinnerton, on November 5th, 1929 in the town of Leeds, England. She was the daughter of Joseph and Ellen Carney Swinnerton. As the sixth and final child, she was adored by her older siblings, John, Molly, Leonard, Nellie and Catherine. The angels came for Winifride on September 21, 2019 so she could join her beloved husband at the pearly gates. He arrived there just 5 short months ago.
Winifride is survived by her eight children, Claude A. Rowe III, Marlene A. Marien, Dorothy E. Rowe Deborah S. Rowe, Sharon D. Richardson, Kristine P. Rowe, Jacqueline M. Haslerig and Harold H. Rowe. She also had 18 grandchildren (two of whom were also awaiting her arrival) and an ever growing number of great grandchildren.
She attended parochial school as young child. During the war, the children in her village were evacuated for their safety. She described a childhood of rationing and scarcity. They went years without seeing an illuminated streetlight. Certainly, the challenges she faced as a child helped to build a strong character and a resilient attitude which she would carry for the remainder of her life. She was tough!
Lightning struck for a young American Air Force Pilot when he met his "beautiful Swinno" while stationed in England. it was around the year 1949. After a storybook romance, they decided to devote their lives to one another. They were married on February 15, 1951. Their journey together took them through many twists and turns, but they remained married for over 67 years. he was the love of her life, and she his. Now they are together again.
Although she worked various jobs over the years to help make ends meet, her career took a backseat to her family life. Her passion for work was ignited later in life once all of her children were grown. She began volunteering for ARC ( The Association for Retarded Citizens at the time) in or about 1985 as she approached her mid fifties. Her volunteer work became the model for a new position and she was hired as the first "Job Coach" in San Diego. It was an important template for the success of individuals with developmental challenges in the work place. She was passionate about her work and continued to put her heart and soul on the line for over 25 years. Her distinguished service even earned her Employee of the Year. The love she shared was reciprocated as she was adored by those she served and all that worked with her. She retired at the age of 79 when she could no longer drive.
Winifride was intelligent, charming, courageous, compassionate, colorful, funny, generous, beautiful, and sometimes a little scary ( sorry mom, but you know that's true). There was no one like her, truly one of a kind. Her loss leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of those who loved her. She will remain an inspiration to us all.
