Winifred Sinclair

Family-Placed Death Notice

Mrs. Winifred Elaine Dahlbender Sinclair, age 85 and a long-time resident of Roswell, died February 23, 2012. She was born October 18, 1926 in Brooklyn Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Frederick and Mabel Dahlbender. Cared for by a great-aunt after the divorce of her parents, she, in many respects, essentially raised herself. She decided at an early age that there was a need for God in her life. Displaying a fervent, independent spirit which would serve her well in life, she explored different religious denominations eventually choosing the Episcopal Church. This was to begin a lifelong commitment to God and her faith. As a senior in high school she was offered academic scholarships to several institutions of higher learning including Cornell University. After careful consideration she decided to attend Grove City College in Grove City, PA. This was a fortuitous decision for it was here that she met the love of her life, David Walker Sinclair. Wini and Dave married in 1947, a marriage of true love and devotion that was to last for nearly sixty years until Dave's death in 2007. Following the birth of her beloved daughter Diane, Wini completed her undergraduate training earning a degree in French from Wheaton College in Illinois. As a French teacher at Wheaton Central High School, she landed a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Sorbonne in Paris. In addition to her studies in France she was also awarded a summer session at Middlebury College in Vermont. She was a dedicated wife and mother who shared her love, strength and determination through example. A resident of the Atlanta area since 1967, Wini was a thirty-year member of St. David's Episcopal Church in Roswell. Serving on the Altar Guild she developed close and loving friendships with many members of the St. David's community. After successfully battling cancer on two separate occasions, she was again diagnosed with cancer in 2009. Though given only a year to eighteen months to live, she fought heroically to the end succumbing to the disease three years later. Wini is survived by her devoted and loving daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Fred and Diane Speyrer, step-grandson, Christopher Speyrer, niece and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Linda Simmering, nephew and wife, Col. and Mrs. Jim and Sue Eicher, and six great nieces and nephews. Wini is also survived by her beloved caregivers, Wynetta Kolenky, Sharon McCullough, and Nessee Conteh. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 25, 2:00 p.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church in Roswell. Interment took place on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 10:00 am at GA National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jeffords Hall Fund, St. David's Episcopal Church, 1015 Old Roswell Road, Roswell, GA 30076. Arrangements by Northside Chapel Funeral Directors of Roswell.