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.