Winifred Joan Curtis, nee Fountain, 99, of Gloucester passed away at home, after a short illness on Thursday, February 21, 2019 with family at her side. Winifred was born in Preston, Lanc. , England on July 24, 1919, the youngest child of Rose nee Benson and Arthur Fountain.
The family returned to the United States and Winifred was raised, with her siblings Arthur, Allan and Norma in Quincy, Massachusetts. After completing her high school education, Winifred worked in the restaurant business in Boston where she met her late husband, artist and teacher Roger W. Curtis. The two were married when Winifred was 21, and moved to Hyde Park, where they raised their three children, Hannah, Alan and William.
When their youngest child, David, was born in 1950, tfamily moved back to Roger’s home town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Winifred found it disconcerting to shift from the residential neighborhood of Hyde Park to the relative solitude of Riverview, but she learned to love the close proximity of the Annisquam River and Wingaersheek Beach. She loved the long, hot days of summer when her sister, Norma, would visit from Baltimore with her children, and they would spend their days at the beach; idyllic days that the children, now grown up with kids of their own, still recall as creating strong family connections.
Other fond memories Winifred carried throughout her life, and loved to share with others, were her days as a Girl Scout; the campfire songs, and dexterous tricks she could do flipping her prized jackknife. Some people found her reserved, but she was in fact a retiring personality content to be in the background as a supportive wife and mother to her family. When her husband, Roger, decided to quit his steady job in the wool business to take up the precarious profession of artist, it was Winifred who made sacrifices to spread the housekeeping as far as possible and continue raising the family, if not in luxury, then certainly with love, and a good helping of lima beans.
Winifred loved her garden, and until recent years, went out in the early hours of the morning to weed and water her beloved flowers, hydrangeas and a substantial vegetable garden. If she wasn’t gardening, Winifred would be reading about gardens. She read widely, was interested in many subjects, and loved to debate the issues.
Winifred was predeceased by her husband, Roger; daughter, Hannah J. Francis; and granddaughter, Julie Francis. She is survived by her three sons, Alan and wife YuTing, William and wife Toni; David and wife Judith; as well as 17 grandchildren and 23 great- grandchildren, spread from the East Coast to the West. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal services.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Online donations can be made at www. CareDimensions.org Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
Online condolences may be given at www. greelyfuneralhome.com To plant a tree in memory of Winifred Curtis, please visit our Tribute Store.
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