Obituary of Winnifred "Winnie" Baird

BAIRD: With sad hearts we announce the passing of Winnifred Baird, of Brandon on Wednesday, October 31 2018. Winnie, as she was known, was born on the family farm to Ruby and J.A. (Harry) Howell of Liberty, Saskatchewan on September 28, 1930. She attended Liberty's Free Soil School (three rooms) from Grades 1 to 12. She studied stenography at Balfour Technical School in Regina and worked five years at Cooperative Life Insurance in that city. During this time she met Harold Baird and they started their sixty-five year marriage in 1951. They raised three daughters in Shilo, Manitoba and Oromocto, New Brunswick, eventually settling in Brandon. Winnie then began a new profession as a teacher (18 years), studying at Brandon University over the summers and graduating with her Bachelor of Education. Winnie had an adventurous spirit and was game to try pretty much anything: camping, canoeing, and sailing, cross country skiing, swimming, dancing, flying, golfing, tai chi, zumba and at age 86, she took up playing the ukulele. Winnie loved music. She was a member of Central United Church, singing in the choir and she played piano for sing-a-longs in the senior residences for many years. Winnie also enjoyed playing bridge, entertaining in her home, offering family dinners with all the fixings, homemade pies and butter tarts the like of which we will never know again. Winnie is survived by her three daughters: Ann Lanceley of Ninette; Allison Baird; and Susan Baird (Doug Odowichuk) of Winnipeg; six grandchildren: Joe and Sarah, Natalie and Alex, Gabe and Sydney and three great grandchildren: Rowan, Mya and Liliana. She also leaves her sister-in-law Mildred Rae of Halifax and many nieces and nephews. Winnie was predeceased by her husband Harold in 2017; her parents Ruby and Harry Howell; brothers: Jerry (Vera) Beaton, Claude (Hazel) Beaton, sons-in-law Ken Lanceley and Peter Gordon as well as her brother-in-law Ian Rae. There are too many friends to mention, all were special in her heart and the family wants to express gratitude for all their loving attention. We also give thanks for the kindness and care of the nurses and staff of the Assiniboine Centre Palliative Care Unit. Winnie was treasured to her peaceful end. A Celebration of Winnie's Life will be held at Central United Church, 327 – 8th Street, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Donations in memory of Winnie may be made to a charity of one's choice.