Winifred Mary “Winnie” McLeod died peacefully at Maple Ridge in Freeland on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Winnie was born Nov. 6, 1918 in Lake Forest Park, but spent the majority of her childhood growing up on Whidbey Island where her father, Dave Bell, purchased and developed a piece of land known as Bell’s Beach.

Winnie and husband John, who passed away in 2011, were married for 70 years. They were the first couple married in the Langley United Methodist Church.

Winnie is survived by sister Bonnie Miller, sister-in-law Eunice Bell, and three children John Douglas “Doug” McLeod Jr. (Mary), Bonnie E. McLeod Mackenzie (Jerry) and Marjorie J. McLeod Carter (Dan). John and Winnie have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After being a stay-at-home mom and playing a large role with the Girl Scouts, Winnie worked in the personnel department at Frederick and Nelson in their flagship store at Fourth and Pine in downtown Seattle.

In early retirement, Winnie was involved in fundraisers for the Evergreen Chapter hospital guild of Whidbey General Hospital, now WhidbeyHealth, and the Baby Island Saratoga Club.

She was a member of the South Whidbey Historical Society and, as the president of the historical society, was most proud of the renovation of the South Whidbey Historical Museum in Langley. She volunteered many hours as a docent, where she enjoyed educating visitors and community folks about the early days of Langley.

Winnie was an extraordinary seamstress and quilter. She made many beautiful quilts for family members. Granddaughter Anna remembers how lucky she was to have her Grandma Winnie teach her to make two quilts.

There were many special times staying with Grandma Winnie and Grandpa John at their home on Bell’s Beach. Grandma Winnie would always have some of her special “everything” cookies on hand, along with Grandpa John’s bacon and sausages.

Winnie had four sisters and one brother, Olive, Ruth, Ginger, Bonnie and Fred. She is survived by sister Bonnie Miller and sister-in-law Eunice Bell.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m., Jan. 14 at the Langley United Methodist Church.

Her family loved her dearly. She will be greatly missed.