Farewell to Winnie at 108 (From Swindon Advertiser)

Farewell to Winnie at 108

2:30pm Monday 13th February 2012 in News

A WOMAN who is thought to have been the oldest person in Swindon has died at the age of 108.

Winifred Guy, who received her ninth birthday card from the Queen in November, passed away at Ladymead Care Home on Tuesday.

Winifred, who lived in Swindon all her life, smoked until she was in her 90s but gave it up because she thought it might help her live longer.

Her niece, Madeline Reeves, who lives in Uffington, said: “You can’t ask for any more than reaching 108. She went very peacefully. We are all quite sad because she is the last link to my mother and that side of the family.

“She touched so many people in the care home and in our personal lives.”

Winifred was born in Radnor Street, Swindon, and for many years lived off Queens Drive. She trained as a milliner and worked at the post office and finished her time off working in a newsagents.

Winifred’s sister, Ella Wyndoe, who was Madeline’s mother, was 97 when she passed away. They had a brother called Clifford.

“She was quite a character,” said Madeline. “She did some marvellous things. She was very talented in her handwork and her skills with her needle.”

Winifred had a son, David, who died when she was 80.

She also travelled across Europe and America with her friend, Dorothy Coates, in 1950.

Dorothy’s nephew, Roger Scratchley, of Old Mill Lane, said: “Winnie was a friend of the family. She was there when I was born more or less. As soon as I was able to recognise people she was there.

“She was a great friend of the family and she worked for us in the newsagents in Princes Street and then moved when we bought a shop in Gorse Hill.”

Winifred lived at The Selena Nursing Home, in Oxford Road, until she moved to Ladymead Care Home at the end of July.

Anne Rouse, manager of Ladymead Care Home, said: “We feel very privileged to have known her and she had a fantastic life. Most of us probably won’t meet anybody that age again. To celebrate her 108th birthday with her was an honour.”

A service will be held at Kingsdown Crematorium on February 22 at 11am. The family would like donations to go to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.