Winnifred Gonos
1926 - 2023

Wynne passed away at the St. Joseph's Special Care Home, Estevan, Sask. on January 11, 2023 at the age of 96 with family by her side. She had been well cared for and loved by many over the past nine years at that very special home.

Wynne was born and raised in Frobisher, Sask and was the oldest of the four children of Bill and Barbara Whatmore. Wynne was convinced that Frobisher was the best place in the world to live and raise her own family. She began dating Tub Mursell and soon after, he went off to Europe to serve in the second world war. After many love letters from the battle field, Tub returned to marry his “Darling Win”.  She was a homemaker and Mom to three children while she also worked outside the home at the Whatmore farm dealership.   She valued family above all else, yet was always heavily involved in her church and community.

Wynne’s strength and resilience was put to the test when she became a widow at the age of 36.  Soon after, her only son was killed in a car wreck.  Her family and friends rallied around Wynne and her daughters and she began a new chapter in life when she met a farmer at the curling rink in Frobisher.  She re-married Joe Gonos, her daughters left the nest, and she became a farm wife. Joe and Wynne became grandparents who loved to spend time with her five grandchildren. Whitebear Lake had always been Wynne’s favorite place to visit. Precious memories were made with the grandchildren and even great grandchildren at the Cottage.

Wynne lost her second husband when she was 73 years old and by this time, she was well known in Frobisher as everyone’s “Gramma Wynne”.  She was a talented seamstress and painter. She loved crafting and playing cards. She enjoyed gardening and recording memories. Most of all, Wynne loved people. She was a friend to so many. She was caring and kind and funny and proud. Wynne loved to help others. She was a generous soul that never complained. Her home and her heart were welcoming to many. To know her was to love her. 

Wynne will be loved and remembered always by her daughter Debby Knight; son-in-law Gordon McClelland; grandchildren: Marni (Tony) Forster, Brant McClelland, Kyle (Tracy) McClelland, Richelle (Kevin) Perkins and Rhonda Knight; great grandchildren: Tyler Halvorson (Sabrina), Keon Forster (Jen), Levi (Bailey) Steffins, Kelsey (Jarrett) Phillips, Monty Hirsch (Tierleigh), Carson Perkins, Hunter Perkins, Noah Perkins, Devin McClelland and Tory McClelland; two great great granddaughters; sister Darlene Mayer; brother Wayne (Margaret) Whatmore, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Bill and Barbara Whatmore; first husband Norman (Tub) Mursell; son Norman Mursell; daughter Brenda McClelland; second husband Joseph Gonos; sister Mick (Raymond) Holmes; brother-in-law Bob Mayer.

A Public Visitation was held on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Frobisher Union Church, Frobisher, Sask. with Sandy Dalziel officiating. Interment followed in the Frobisher Resthaven Cemetery, after which a luncheon was held at the church.

A video recording of the service will be available for approximately 90 days using this link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=984db261-8c14-4d50-b462-a9627cccaa64.

Those wishing to pay tribute to Winnifred via a donation in her memory may do so directly to the Frobisher Union Church, Box 86, Frobisher, SK S0C 0Y0.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to Winnifred's family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.