It is with great sadness (difficulty) that the family of Winnifred (Wynne) Simoes announces that she died peacefully into the arms of her Lord on the morning of January 6, 2004. Wynne was born in Salvador, Saskatchewan on March 28, 1918 to William and Harriet Holton. She had four sisters and one brother. She married Lou Simoes in 1949 and in 1962 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. Lou passed away in 1988. Over the years Wynne had been an active member of the community. She was a member of numerous square dance clubs and the local chapters of Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile. She loved her bridge games and attended Friendship House as often as she could. During the past years Wynne continued to have the blessing of a sound mind but her body was not as willing and it held her back from participating in many of the social activities that she loved.
Wynne was a loving mother to her four children; Bill Simoes (Barb), Miriam Quapp (Gary), Lois Courtois (Cyril) and Bob Somoes (Colleen). She took great pleasure in her four grandchildren; Kevin (fiancee Katie), Nathan, Daniel and Charlotte. She is also survived by her two sisters; Margaret Floen and Dorothy Worth. Mom had many treasured friends. We thank you for the joy that you brought into her life.
As a family we are appreciative of Mom's great love, devotion to her children. (And the many sacrifices that she made, for her children). No words or thoughts can express how deeply we will miss her. She showed us how to approach and accept life with character and contentment. We will always be grateful for this wonderful role model. She had a favorite poem that she quoted us as children and we believe that this poem reflects the way in which she approached her life.
I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able, as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand, with the setting sun,
and hate myself for things I have done.
I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of a person I really am;
I don't want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect.
I want to deserve all men's respect.
But here in the struggle for me and self
I want to be able to like myself,
I don't want tolook at myself and know
That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.
I can never hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know,
I can never fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.
The family is respectfully requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A celebration of Wynne's life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Henderson's Funeral Home, 34537 Marshall Road, Abbotsford with a reception to follow.
Henderson's Funeral Home 604-854-5534.