Winifred Dunford

Winifred Alice "Winnie" McDermid Dunford, age 100, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, leaving behind a legacy that spans five generations. Born on August 15, 1925, in Kelso, Washington, Winnie was the youngest of four children to Charles Hebard McDermid and Louise Reilly McDermid. Having grown up in a Scots-Irish family and having lived through the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II at an early age, Winnie carried with her a strong spirit that permeated her life. Winnie attended Balboa High School in San Francisco, California, proudly calling herself a "Bal Gal." As an adult, alongside her husband Ralph Hill Dunford Jr., Winnie helped oversee the farm, construction and family business operations, and raised her family on values grounded in Christianity (they were members of the Dundee Methodist Church), patriotism, and a strong work ethic. In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Ralph; playing games of Pinochle, Mexican Train, Hand and Foot, and Bingo with friends; and the companionship of her cats. Remarkably resilient throughout her life's journey, including navigating every major historical event of the past century, the passing of numerous loved ones, and surviving two hospitalizations herself during the Covid pandemic, Winnie kept her fighting spirit through the end—she loved a good laugh, jigging and tapping along to the beat of music and recalling fun memories. Winnie was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Hill Dunford Jr.; parents Charles Hebard McDermid and Louise Reilly McDermid; brother Charles Gilbert (Gib) McDermid, wife Claire; sisters Ruth Ramona McDermid Arvidson, husband Arthur (Art), and Miriam Louise McDermid Penman, husband Robert (Bob), and numerous friends, whom she missed dearly. In her final moments, Winnie shared she had been talking with Jesus and encouraged her family to not be sad when she passed as she would now be happy with the ones that she had missed. Having been a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Winnie's legacy continues through the lives of her family. She is remembered by her children: Suzanne Marie Dunford; Carey Dennis Dunford, wife Sally; Barbara Lucille Dunford Helm; and Elizabeth Janette Dunford Speight, husband Kevin. Grandchildren: Shane Gregory Holstein, Garth Benjamin Evers, wife Jen; Blake Eliot Dunford; Travis Roman Dunford, wife Tina; Tina Marie Helm McGill, husband Mike; Andrea (Andy) Kathleen Helm; Megan Elizabeth Helm Mercer; Charles Thomas Speight, wife Meredith; Katherine Rhodes, husband Spencer; and Morgan Avery Speight Cope, husband Joseph. Great-grandchildren: Abigail Ann Evers; Zachary Dunford; Brittany Dunford Gleason, husband Justin; Bailey Marie Dunford; Luke Justice Dunford; Ella Rae Dunford; Isaac Billy James, Murphy Winifred Speight; Tucker Mills Speight; Darcy Rhodes; Zsolt Joel Cope; and Rikardo Luke Cope. Great-great-grandchildren: Cooper Gleason, Josie Gleason, and Bo Wayne Johnson. In memoriam, Winnie will be interned alongside her husband Ralph at River View Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.