Winifred Violet Curry

Win and her late husband Chuck were one of the first residents of Maple Meadows Mobile Home Park on Vedder Road when Chuck retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as a Chief Warrant Officer.

Chuck passed away in 1991 and Win kept their home beautiful with her beloved flowers, shrubs and trees, living on her own until the end with the assistance of home care, son Steve and daughter-in-law Debra.

A plaque above her kitchen window captured her love of her surroundings:

“The kiss of the sun for pardon.

The song of the birds for mirth.

One is nearer God’s heart in a garden,

Than anywhere else on earth.”

Spunky even in hospital, Win’s independent streak blossomed early as she came to Canada from England at age 19 as a war bride. She often spoke about the Atlantic crossing, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, and then travelling by train to Saskatoon, where she was welcomed by Chuck’s parents and many siblings.

The train was full of war brides and made stops along the way for the young women to start their new adventures in Canada. Win marvelled at the courage of those getting off the train in the bush of Northern Ontario, with no town in sight.

Chuck, who was in the first wave with the Regina Rifles landing at Juno Beach on D-Day, remained in Germany for a few months after the war ended to defuse land mines.

Upon his return to Canada, they lived at his birthplace, North Battleford, SK, for a short while, until Chuck decided to re-enlist with the Royal Canadian Engineers in Chilliwack.

They lived at Cultus Lake and from there postings took them to Shilo, MB, Quebec City, Soest, Germany, back to Quebec City, back to Chilliwack and then finally to North Bay, ON. Chuck and Win decided to retire in Chilliwack and purchased their mobile home.

Chuck served with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Egypt in 1958 and rather than stay in Quebec, Win took her two boys to live in Manchester, England, with her mother while Chuck served his 12-month posting.

Win was predeceased by her sister Lillian in England and is survived by her brother Don in Spain. She is survived by her son Steve (Debra) of Chilliwack and their sons Sean of Chilliwack and Tyler of Calgary; son Don (Mary) of North Bay and their sons Bill (Amy) and their daughter Megan of Ottawa, and Christopher (Mary) of Brockville, ON. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Jack (Betty) of Regina and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews across Canada. Chuck had six brothers and two sisters, with eight serving in the military.

Win was active with Better Breathers, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, CFB Chilliwack Historical Society and St. John’s Anglican Church. An avid reader, Win also kept current on world and Canadian politics. She knew the weather everywhere in North America due to her fascination with the Weather Network.

Win’s wish was to be cremated, with her ashes joining those of her beloved Chuck in the mountains surrounding Chilliwack.

Win’s family thanks the caring staff on 5 South at Chilliwack General Hospital for their patience and professionalism.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hendersonsfunerals.com for the CURRY family.