Birthe Irene Petersen Winer

MARBLEHEAD - Birthe Irene (Petersen) Winer, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 8, 2024, after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert M. Winer (Bob) with whom she shared over 33 years of marriage. She was the loving mother of twin daughters, Britt and Elisabeth Winer of Marblehead; the dear sister of the late Per J. Petersen, Vivi Nielsen, Lis Randrup, Hanne Nielsen, the late Helle Cilleborg, and Flemming Nielsen all of Aalborg, Denmark. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Birthe was born on December 31, 1941, in Aalborg, Denmark and was the daughter of Poul M. Werner Petersen and Danine Nielsen. Birthe graduated from Falkoneergaardens Gymnasium in Copenhagen, Denmark. Studied at the Art Academy of Copenhagen and the Academia della Arte, Rome, Italy. She also studied Art, English and History at Boston University and Commercial Art at the Butera School of Art.

Birthe came to America in 1961 with dreams of becoming a cartoon artist for Walt Disney Studios. After completing her studies in Boston and moving to Los Angeles, she became a personal assistant for Mr. Elliot and Ruth Handler of Mattel, where she was behind the creative launch of the Barbie doll fan mail club.

After some time on the west coast, she returned to the east coast and moved to Marblehead, where, she worked as a medical secretary, did some modeling with the Ford Model Agency in Boston from photo shoots for magazine print ads to runways for the latest fashions to automobile shows.

While working at the Scandinavian gift shop, the Upper Story, in Vinnin square, she met Robert (Bob) and after months of a whirlwind courtship, they were married in August of 1964. Together, they enjoyed sailing, skiing in North Conway, gardening, cooking, and participating in Marblehead Little Theater, where Birthe designed many of the productions’ posters and costumes.

In addition to Danish and English, Birthe was fluent in Italian, French, German, Swedish and Norwegian languages. She taught Danish at the Academia School of Languages in Cambridge. She was also membership secretary for the International Center of New England in Boston for the Department of Chamber of Commerce.

In Marblehead she worked at the Abbot Public Library for more than ten years as the librarian assistant and continuously produced many attractive artworks for the library. She also designed the pen and ink hand drawn image on the Abbot Public library card which was being used for over four decades and the original drawing was submitted to the Marblehead Arts Festival.

When she semi-retired and became a freelance artist, in the 1980’s she helped start with her husband, Bob, the first of its kind, North Shore Shuttle Service where passengers were driven by private van and limousine service to and from Boston Logan Airport.

Birthe was passionate about her art with watercolors and acrylic from painting portraits and landscapes. She earned and won many awards for her artistic talent with the Marblehead Arts Association during the Marblehead Festival of Arts; Swampscott Arts Association from the People’s Choice awards, Lee R. Smith Awards, Excellence Awards to Judge’s Choice Awards to name a few.

Over the years, she was a member of the Marblehead Arts Association; Swampscott Arts Association; International Women’s club; Danish Society of Massachusetts; American-Danish Chamber of Commerce; American Women’s club in Denmark; Peabody Essex Museum; Marblehead Historical Society; Dolphin Yacht Club; Marblehead Yacht Club and Marblehead Little Theater.

Please join us in remembering and celebrating Birthe’s beautiful, amazing life. Visiting hours will be held at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm Street, on Sunday, August 18, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Her Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 19, at the funeral home followed by interment at Waterside Cemetery and a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Birthe’s memory to the Marblehead Arts Association or the charity of your choice. Fond memories and condolences for Birthe’s family may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.

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Eulogy

In Remembrance of Birthe Winer

Good morning, my name is Todd Katzman and I have known Birthe all my life. I grew up in Marblehead on Wilson Road, diagonally across the street. I may have spent as much waking time at the Winer’s house as I did on my own. Birthe’s warm smile and impeccable sense of style are memories I will cherish forever. I know many of the photos that have been shared of her when she was a model and recall some of the stories when she modeled at car shows. She was always dressed to the nines, with her hair perfectly styled, her nails painted in a beautiful shade of red – I can see her sitting in the chair across from the TV doing her nails, and her shoes—oh, the shoes! I will never forget the sight of baskets upon baskets of shoes, each pair a testament to her unique flair and personality.

I remember going shopping many times with her, Beth and Britt. A drive to Lynn to Hoffman’s where Bob worked part time. Jordan Marsh and Filenes at the North Shore Shopping Center. I worked during high school at Marshall’s and recall seeing her visit often… not to see me but to find the latest fashion item.

Birthe was not only a style icon but also a gifted artist. Her talents were widely recognized, earning her many awards at the Marblehead Arts Festival and other local arts associations. I can vividly picture the pen-and-ink drawing of the Abbot Public Library on my library card. This was one of the many ways she showcased her deep connection to the Marblehead community, where she worked as a librarian assistant for over ten years.

Beyond her artistic talents, Birthe had a zest for living life to its fullest potential. She was an avid traveler, frequently journeying between Denmark and Marblehead, and back and forth… especially before the pandemic. She enjoyed good food, wine, and cocktails. I had the pleasure of visiting her in Denmark with Britt and Beth where we had such a wonderful time—dining at Tivoli Gardens, touring castles and art museums, and, of course, shopping. Birthe’s hospitality was unmatched, and she even sent me home with a box of pastries for Bob, a gesture that showed her thoughtfulness and love.

Birthe's life was also marked by her deep commitment to her family and friends. She was the loving mother of Britt and Beth, and wife to Bob for over 33 years. Together, they enjoyed sailing, skiing, gardening, cooking, and participating in Marblehead Little Theater, where Birthe designed posters and costumes. Her garden reflected her nurturing spirit and her deep connection to nature, much like the beautiful art she created. I can picture her pushing the wheelbarrow around the yard and lovingly tending to the flowers and trees.

After decades of marriage with Bob, Birthe returned to Denmark, embracing a new chapter in her life. She created a beautiful home there and remained vibrant and full of life, starting a new chapter. Eventually, she returned to the U.S. and remarried Bob, continuing their journey together until his passing. Bob left us too soon, but their shared experiences and memories remain close to our hearts.

For the past two years, Birthe was confined to her bed in a nursing home. Despite the challenges she faced, she was fortunate to be cared for by her two devoted daughters, Britt and Beth, who dedicated much of their lives to ensuring that all her medical and living needs were met. The love and attention they gave to their mother during this difficult time was truly remarkable. Beth has 68 pages of issues noted in the care their mother received; this is a testament to the level of oversight they provided for her. I know they will sorely miss her, but they can take comfort in the fact that they were able to be with her when she passed, offering her the same love and care that she had given them throughout their lives.

Being so close to the family, I also got to know some of Birthe’s friends. Today, we are joined by a few of her dear friends. Her friend Geeta, who also came from Denmark. I remember as a young boy also getting to know Geeta’s 3 children as they stayed with them from time to time. Her friend Sheila, who was in the hospital at the same time as Birthe when she gave birth to Brian and Birthe to Britt and Beth. These friendships, like so many others in her life, were cherished by Birthe and reflect the love and warmth she brought into the world.

As we remember Birthe today, may we all carry a piece of her spirit with us. Let us honor her memory by living our lives with the same joy, creativity, and love that she embodied every day. Birthe’s spirit will continue to shine brightly in our hearts, reminding us to embrace life fully, to cherish our loved ones, and to always find beauty in the world around us.

As we reflect on the lasting impact Birthe had on all of us, I would like to share a poem that captures the essence of our memories of her.

‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

**At the rising sun and at its going down; We will remember Birthe.

**At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We will remember Her.

**At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We will remember Her.

**At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We will remember Her.**

**At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We will remember Her.**

**At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We will remember Her.**

**As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember Her.**

**When we are weary and in need of strength; We will remember Her.**

**When we are lost and sick at heart; We will remember Her.**

**When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We will remember Her.**

**When we have joy we crave to share; We will remember Her.**

**When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We will remember Her.**

**For as long as we live, she too will live, for she is now a part of us as, We remember Birthe.**

And from the Union Prayer Book:

Our thoughts now turn to those who have departed this earth; our own loved ones, those whom our friends and neighbors have lost, the martyrs of our people, the 6 million who perished in the Shoah, and those of every race, nation and faith whose lives have been a blessing to humanity.

The departed Birthe who we now remember has entered into the peace of life eternal. She still lives on earth in the acts of goodness she performed and in the hearts of those who cherish her memory. May the beauty of her life abide among us as a loving benediction.

May we carry her spirit with us, finding comfort in the memories we have shared and the love she gave to each and every one of us.