WINIFRED CROZA "

WINIFRED CROZA "Winnie, Mom, Gran" December 15, 1922 - October 24, 2015 In her 93rd year, Winnie peacefully passed into God's hands on the evening of Saturday, October 24th in Squamish, BC. Beloved wife of Sam (predeceased in 1987), loving mother of Mike (Laurel) and Helen (Rob), grandmother to Shannon (Aidan), Caitie (Andrew), Allie (Terence), Jake (Lorraine) and Sam. Great-grandmother to Keaton, Porter and Archer. Our loving family in England, sister to Teresa (Tommy deceased), Joe (deceased) and Margaret (deceased), aunt to Bernadette (Andrew), Dominic (Aude), Tony (Barbara, deceased) and Bernard and great-aunt to Chris, Zoe, Oliver, Anita and Gavin (Sheree) Connor and Liam. Winnie's independent spirit and work ethic was evident through her teen years, working in a Leeds Yorkshire bomber aircraft assembly plant during WWII, then marrying Sam and coming to Canada for a new life in 1952. While raising her children, Winnie became a waitress and worked at Moe Pancer's Deli on Bathurst Street for over 40 years, retiring at 80. She was loved by the staff and customers, as she always had a smile and a genuine interest and concern for others. Winnie was also a fighter and would challenge anyone who had overstepped their bounds on her kindness or her family, as she could be a force to be reckoned with. At 80, she decided to move from Toronto and follow Helen to Calgary and then to Squamish, BC. Winnie was an inspiration to us all in how she lived her life, never giving up in spite of limitations and carried on with a courageous spirit of optimism and humour. A motto that helped her and us at various times in life was an old Yorkshire saying, "Never say die, up man and try". She was so proud and there was nothing that made her happier than seeing and hearing about her family, her grandchildren and great- grandchildren and knowing they would be all right. There will be a Funeral Mass on Thursday, October 29th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's of Squamish and private family ceremony to follow. For those who wish or in lieu of flowers, donations in Winnie's name can be made to Save the Children Fund: www.savethechildren.ca/DonatetoChildren and online condolences can be made to Squamish Funeral Chapel: www.squamishfuneralchapel.com