Obituary of Winnifred Annie Roy

ROY(ROSS)(JONASSON)(MILLS)

Winnifred Annie, known fondly as “Winnie”, of Truro, passed away on October 30, 2024 in her 98^th year.  Born in Coldstream, Nova Scotia, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Annie (Goodwin) Mills. 

Winnie was a remarkable person who lived life to the fullest, with a contagious zest for life that made every visit with her entertaining and inspirational. From a young age, she became exceptionally resourceful, working alongside her father in the woods, selling butter and peas door to door, and hooking rugs to support her family and to buy her first car. She began her career at Stanfield’s in Truro after World War Two, impressing her interviewers by wearing a dress she had sewn herself.

Winnie moved to Manitoba and operated a farm in Riverton with husbands Thomas Jonasson (son) and Murray Ross (4 sons), where she lived for much of her adult life. With a deep love for music, she played the fiddle and enjoyed sharing that talent with her son and others. She studied naturopathic medicine and had a passion for living a holistic lifestyle. She promoted eating whole foods, exercise, and used a trampoline almost daily into her eighties. A prolific writer, she journaled her life, penned poetry, and documented the Icelandic migration to Riverton, Manitoba as experienced by her first husband’s family.

Later in life, Winnie returned to Nova Scotia and married Don Roy (5 adult children).  In Truro, Winnie continued her lifelong commitment to volunteering and enjoyed attending community churches, her work as an Associate Chaplin, her membership in the  Legion, demonstrating her strong scrabble skills at the library, and supporting the Truro Fam Market.

She was much loved and admired by many and leaves behind a legacy that will be celebrated.  

Winnie is survived by her son, Thomas (Kara) Jonasson; sister, Connie Payne; numerous stepchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and sister in law Mary Mills.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by husbands, Thomas Jonasson, Murray Ross and Don Roy; brothers Reginald, Glen and Cormer.

As per her wishes, a graveside funeral service was held 2pm Saturday, November 2, 2024 in Gays River Cemetery, Gays River. 

A heartfelt thank you to all who cared for and supported Winnie in her final days.

Memorial donations may be directed to the STEPS (Supported Training Employment Programs) 168 Arthur St

Truro, NS B2N 1Y4 or a charity of choice.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Winnie may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com