Obituary of Winifred Wynne

Winifred Thornton Wynne, age 104 of Boulder, Colorado passed away at home on January 11th. She was born in the village of Carragarew in the Maam Valley, County Galway, Ireland to Bridget O’Malley and Thomas Thornton. She grew up during the British occupation of Ireland and witnessed the Black and Tan paramilitary forces as they suppressed the uprising of the Irish people against British rule. Her family spoke primarily Gaelic, as did most who lived in the West of Ireland. At 18 she moved to London where she attended and received her nursing certification at St. Olave’s Hospital. While nursing in London she was in the London Blitz of World War II and was one of many primarily Irish nurses who remained in London riding in ambulances and ministering to civilians injured in the bombings. She subsequently joined the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service (QAs) and was a commissioned officer in the British Army. Three days after the invasion of Normandy, Winifred and her fellow QAs landed on the beach of Normandy by wading through deep, mine-filled waters. She was a member of the 74th British General Hospital and was among the first to land and give medical aid. After Normandy she was transferred to the 101st British General Hospital in Louvain, Belgium which provided medical aid during the Battle of the Bulge. During her commission with the British army she served in India, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, British North Borneo, and the reoccupation of Malaya. The British Ministry of Defense awarded her the “1939-45 Star” for overseas operations, the British Liberation Army Star for her service in Normandy as well as the Defense Medal for her bravery and dedication. She worked as a nurse in France, Belgium, Northern Ireland, and Ireland after the war and was subsequently discharged with the rank of lieutenant from the British Army. She met and married Peter Joseph Wynne on February 14, 1953 when she visited the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, PA. Peter was born in Sunderland, England and was of Irish descent. Peter preceded her in death on January 6th, 1985. Winifred is survived by her five children, John “Sean” Joseph Wynne who lived with her and cared for her over the last 15 years; daughter Mary Catherine Wynne (Bill Humphrey) of Boulder, CO and granddaughters Julia Wynne and Maureen Wynne; son Peter “Pete” Joseph Wynne Jr. (Carmen Porter) and grandsons Michael (Katie Wynne) and David and granddaughter Grace,; son Thomas “Micheál” Wynne (Mary Margaret Bell) of Lexington, KY and grandson Thomas Peter Wynne (Rebecca Wynne); and Eileen Wynne (Mark Grossman) of Richmond, VA, and grandsons Joseph and Michael. Winifred was a great lover of animals and birds. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home on a regular basis and was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary Church. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Boulder County Humane Society, your local Meals on Wheels, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. To watch the video here's the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCRBXIskg4w