MCDERMOTT, WINIFRED ANNE NICHOLLS, 80 – With family lovingly by her side, Winifred passed away on February 3, 2019 after a heroic battle with several illnesses. She was known to her family and long-time friends as Win Anne, but many called her Win. The most important handle she ever held was that of Mom, which she was called by many of her kids’ friends as well. Win was born on January 21, 1939 in Westhampton, New York to William and Winifred (Bookhammer) Nicholls. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Charles. Win is survived by her six children, John McDermott (Cilla Ehly), Anne McDermott (Sean Jamieson), Elizabeth McDermott (Kevin McGuire), Paul McDermott, Melissa McDermott (Jim Sauer) and Mark (Nicole) McDermott. She is also survived by her siblings, Mary Lois Nicholls, William Nicholls, Gilbert Nicholls and Charles Nicholls. Win’s grandchildren, Ian, Emma and Katherine McDermott, Shannon McGuire, Hayley Sauer, and Jack and William McDermott all meant the world to her. All of Win’s nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart.
Win lived a life full of enormous generosity of spirit and kindness. She embraced people for who they were without much judgement. Win warmly took in stray children and animals, even when the house was already filled, which it always was. She always encouraged her children to live their dreams and lovingly supported them through life’s successes and disappointments. Win Anne maintained life-long friendships that she held dearly with people very important to her.
Win Anne and her siblings were raised on a golf course, as their father’s occupation was that of the club’s golf pro. Her first lucrative endeavor was a lemonade stand, under a tree, that she opened on Hole 12 of St. George’s Golf Club as a nine-year-old. She added Coca Cola to the menu to keep up with the demand of the golfers and ran that stand into the early 1950’s. Though she didn’t play golf while raising her kids, Win became a fanatic in her 40’s. She was quite good and often beat men decades younger than she was. She continued to play, even when plagued by physical ailments.
Win Anne attended Infant Jesus School through 8th grade and graduated from Port Jefferson High School in 1957. As a young adult, Win Anne ventured into NYC to work as a seamstress and clothing designer. She always had a creative, artistic flair and talent which she used to make her children’s clothes and school uniforms, as well as making brides maids dresses and wedding gowns to help supplement her young family’s income. While in NYC, Win met Charles in early 1960. They married in November that year. Win and family subsequently moved to Bayville, NY and then on to California for nine years. Win longed to be back near her family and friends and rejoiced when they all returned to Smithtown, NY in 1976 where she finished raising her clan. She finally moved to her beloved Port Jefferson in 1995 where she spent her remaining years.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mather Hospital ICU for their kind and compassionate professionalism while caring for our mother. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 8th at 11 AM at Infant Jesus R.C. Church, Port Jefferson, NY.
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