Obituary
Winnifred Hannah Newbury
“For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace. The mountains and hills will break forth into singing before you – and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
Winnie was born on September 20, 1931 in Bay L’Argent, Nfld., to George and Lillian Banfield (nee Scott). She married Gerald Halfyard Newbury in 1952, and together, they raised four children, Paul, Scott, David and Lilly.
Winnie was an adventurer – with a great passion for the outdoors and nature. She and Gerry were avid explorers of the Newfoundland outdoors; especially Red Indian Lake, where they retired. They could often be seen exploring the back roads and camping ‘off the beaten path’ as she liked to say. Through their adventures, they would encounter many wild animals and birds which she loved to capture through a camera lens – but during hunting season, was equally skilled with a rifle lens. When not in the woods, she was a gracious and elegant woman who worked as a secretary at Lundrigans in Corner Brook, and at the Town Hall in Glovertown. Winnie was a very smart woman who had a flair for writing – a way with words, that was accompanied by a sharp wit and sense of humour. She was also a very kind and generous person. If someone needed help, she would do everything in her power for them. She was a great inspiration to many for the strength and courage she showed throughout her 88 years. She loved her children; her whole family. She loved life. And she was loved.
Winnie is predeceased by husband Gerry, her mother and father, her sister Ruby (Charlie) and brother George. She is survived by her sister Marjorie (Harold, deceased), her children: Paul (Louise), Scott (Ivan), David (Rosanne), Lillian Fidler (Jim); her grandchildren: Roxanne, Aaron and Hannah and her great-grandchildren: Lincoln and Layla, her brother-in-law Doug Newbury (Pauline), sister-in-law Louise Worrall and special sister-in-law and friend Marcie as well as her nephews Keith, Barry, Charlie, Eddy, Dale, Bill and Rob and her nieces Anne, Lynn, Jan, Peg, Nancy, Margo, Ann, Dianne, Susan, Vicki and Jane.
A memorial will take place on Red Indian Lake (Millertown) when circumstances permit.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local SPCA or animal shelter.
Winnie-Freya The Brave
A poem for Winnie Newbury by Judy Gibson
October 2, 2019
Because I met you, I am changed;
I see in you the spirit of one who loves life,
All living things, ideas, family nature,
The outdoors, the strong people of the past.
You said you like the Vikings
And that small part of me that is Scandinavian
Felt moved, knowing that the sturdy people
Came here defying the elements.
A thousand years ago. You know of them as brave,
They climbed the water mountains and faced the winds
Like you, at war with Death. You let the doctor
Reshape you and your family loves your courage.
No one I have ever met could take your spirit
And crumble it into pieces, you
Have not lost face; Death landed on it
And began to eat your cheek, jaw, teeth, ear, chin.
You allowed the surgeon to carve deeply
Placing new skin here and healthy bone there
And though healing has been slow you have
A brave new face defying Death.
Each time we have talked I learned how you
Love your family. And always loved fishing.
You put two thumbs up when you speak of life
And let me see your grief that your love left you.
“We were supposed to die together,” you told me,
But he died!” And I can imagine how hard it was
It was a mortal hurt to him that you had to suffer
And it hurt him too deeply.
“I go to Barbados and visit my son and
My children take me fishing.
I thank life for letting me look outward
I still love Life.”
And last week I met Marjorie, born when
You were thirteen; your baby sister who is proud of you.
We three talk at Jumping Bean
Where friends meet.
Winnie-Freya, I think, should be your name.
Winnie is your familiar face to the Left.
Your profile, deep sea-blue eye, your fine nose,
Your smiling mouth, your bright blue earring in one earlobe.
Right Face is Freya
The “I Defy Death” side,
The badge of courage, love-Life.
Thumbs-up beautiful
Newfoundland Viking Woman.
In Norse mythology, Freyja (/ˈfreɪə/; Old Norse for “(the) Lady”) is a goddess associated with war, death, love, beauty, fertility, gold…
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Winnifred Hannah Newbury 2020..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N