Winnie passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, September 10th at the age of 90.
Winnie was born November 16, 1923 in Lawrence, Nebraska, the fifth child of seven, to Vaughn and Veronica Hall. She attended Cathedral High School in Omaha, Nebraska and Duchesne College, graduating with a Chemistry degree. She met her future husband Owen Daniel Thomas while traveling by train to Salt Lake City. On his way home from officer training school, he was captivated by her striking beauty. At first she pretended not to notice the handsome young soldier who kept walking by her seat, but eventually they struck up a conversation and a great love was born. After Owen was deployed to Europe, they developed their enduring love by writing letters to each other until the end of the war. Owen and Winnie married on December 15, 1945 in Omaha, Nebraska, and were happily married for 43 years until his death in 1988. They lived in Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah and had eight children.
After raising their children, Winnie returned to the University of Tulsa to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1978. She worked as a nurse at Primary Children's Medical Center from 1985-2005.
She demonstrated kindness and generosity in every aspect of her life. This was seen in both the raising of her family and working as a pediatric nurse. She was devoted to her children and made every holiday a memorable occasion. Her grandchildren remember her amazing brownies and pies and the wonderful time they spent together. Her selfless spirit and desire to help others characterized her career as an RN at Primary Children's Medical Center.
After retiring from nursing at the age of 82, Winnie remained very active. She enjoyed gardening, walking her dog, baking, and volunteering at the food pantry. She loved spending time with her family and friends at her cabin in Fairview. Even as her health declined in later years, she kept her love for reading and learning new things. Her daughter Mary was her devoted caregiver and companion to the end of her life. One of her simple joys in life was listening to Mary play the piano.
She was preceded in death by husband Owen, sons David and Robert, and siblings Robert, Vaughn, William, JoAnne and James. She is survived by sister Mary Culkin; children Jann DeWitt (John), Kathleen Zellner (Robert), John (Courtney), Paul (Robin), James and Mary; grandchildren Mariam, Ayan, Ryan, Anne, Emily, Wiley, Kathryn, Samuel, and Lydia; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Alisa Knowlton, the team at the Intermountain Heart Failure Clinic, the doctors and nurses at LDS Hospital, and the doctors and staff at Inspiration Hospice for their wonderful care.
A memorial service will be held at 11am, Monday September 15th at Larkin Mortuary on 260 E. South Temple. Friends may call one hour prior to services at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to either Primary Children's Medical Center or the Utah Humane Society.
