Winifred “Winnie” N. James, 97, a long-time resident of Willimantic and Mansfield, CT died on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at Woodlake Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Tolland.
Born to M. Leslie Nichols and Hazel Jacobs Nichols on May 18, 1922 in Groton, CT, Winnie lived a full and gentle life – her kindness, ready smile, and piano-playing talent will be dearly missed. She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon R. James, in 2004. Winnie leaves children: Richard G. James of Vernon, CT and Kathryn James-Stebbins of Haymarket, VA, daughter-in-law, Karin James and son-in-law, James Stebbins; grandson Gregory James and his wife, Jenny Linkkila-James of Mashpee, MA and their two children, Aaron and Brody; grandson Daryl James and his wife Jennifer James of Bloomington, MN and their three children, Tyler, Ava, and Emma; granddaughter Gail Barnett and her husband Mitchell and their children Camden and Addison…as well as James family nieces and nephews.
Winnie most recently lived at the Card Home where she received loving care and had many visits from family and friends, most especially her piano playing soulmate, Joan Duggan, her oldest and longest friend, Brenda Ladd, and her most caring, long-time neighbors, Peggy and Stan Dugan.
Surrounded by what she loved – framed family pictures and a life-time of photo albums, the James-Nichols genealogy, postcards of trips and packets of all her correspondence with family and friends, along with the stories she wrote, the scrapbooks she compiled, and music she played – all keepsakes of a life well-lived as she takes her place with dignity and grace among the generations.
The family extends special thanks to the staff at the Card Home, to the caregivers with the Homemakers and Companions Services, to the Windham Hospital medical team, and most recently, to the caregivers at Woodlake Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and the Visiting Nurse/Hospice of ECHN.
Funeral arrangements will be through Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic and a Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in early June. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army, the Cornerstone Foundation, or to a charity of choice.
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