Winifred Strunk
Winifred (Winnie) Strunk, 68, formerly of Shakopee, MN died peacefully at home in Baldwin, NY on August 1, 2012, following a courageous 15 month battle with cancer, surrounded by incredibly dear friends and a niece, who were lovingly caring for her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Winifred Strunk and brother, Frank W. Strunk. She is survived by devoted sisters, Ellen (Stan) Hennessy, Pleasant Hill, CA and Nan Lodermeier, Shakopee, MN, sister-in-law, Cathy Strunk, Grosse Pte Woods, MI. She was Aunt “Wink” to 10 nieces, 3 nephews, 14 grandnieces and 11 grand nephews and untold numbers of friends who loved her and whom she loved deeply.
Winnie was born in Shakopee on June 17, 1944 and grew up in Shakopee, graduating from Shakopee High School in 1962 and the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was awarded a grant from St. Catherine’s to New York University and received her Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing of Children from there in 1968. She remained in the New York area since then, initially working in the hospital setting, but eventually in the school system, where her position was a combination of nursing and social work. She loved working with and being with children, and as a continuation of her work in the schools, also did private counseling in her home until the time of her illness in April of 2011.
Winnie was a woman of great insight, who was always there for family and friends, having “answers” for many and giving sound advice. She loved New York and being able to “show it off” to family and friends. We will all miss her forever and feel blessed to have had her in our lives.
A celebration in her honor will take place at a later date in Baldwin.
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I send my most heartfelt condolences to all of Winnie’s friends and family. My daughter, Alexa, was counseled by Winnie for eight years, until her illness. Alexa visited with Winnie last Spring after her surgery. They spoke for over 2 hours while I waited in the car. Alexa had such a special bond with Winnie, and had many phone conversations over the years with her. Winnie also helped me so much, especially after my mom passed away 2 years ago. Winnie will always be in my heart, and we loved her dearly.
I went to High School with Winnie and graduated with her in our class. We will be celebrating our 50th this Sept. and looking forward to seeing her. What a shock to hear of her passing and my sympathy to her relatives and friends. I know she is now not having any cancer where she is in Heaven.
Winnie was my cousin, whom I saw rarely, as my home is in Seattle.
We shared maternal grandparents, William Stephens, a small town lawyer and Ella Barrett Stephens, a teacher. Grandma had the deep memorable Barrett voice as did Winnie’s mother. Indeed Winnie and her three siblings inherited this wonderful sound.
Grandpa Stephens loved to sing. He was a tenor who favored Irish folk songs. The love of singing was inherited by Winnie and her brother Frank and sister Nan. Winnie studied voice in college, performing a graduation recital as a senior. She was referred to a respected vocal instructor when she moved to New York City. I remember that she reported to her family that a famous singer,actress, game show panelist, Kitty Carlisle, had her voice lesson just before hers.
In the intervening years music took a back seat. However, when we gathered to celebrate our Aunt Helen’s 100th birthday we spent a memorable evening singing songs, led by Frank Strunk on his guitar. Our grandparents would have loved it, as did we.
Mary Pearson Kenny
I had the honor and pleasure of working with Winnie in the late 80′s at Western Suffolk B.O.C.E.S.. We were both social workers in the pre-school program. I was new to the agency and Winnie was one of my mentors. Winnie always had time to answer a question and lend her support and guidance.
I remember Winnie always opened her home on Thanksgiving to anyone and everyone who had no other place to go. I have always admired her generous spirit and positive outlook on life.
Winnie was a special person who left this earth a better place for having walked among us. She will be missed.
Saddened to learn of Winnie’s death.
I knew Winnie briefly from school.
She was always a warm, understanding and accepting.
I share your pain.
Having worked with Winnie at the CP School in Roosevelt,NY for several years was an incredible experience. Her knowledge and sincerity were infectious. She was such an understanding, tolerant and giving colleague.Winnie was an asset to our society. I feel blessed to have been in her life, though for a short time. Her smile and her great hugs will be missed .She was loved and loving .My condolences to all of Winnie’s family.
My son was less than eager to participate in therapy, and an unlikely match for Winnie in many ways. Winnie didn’t mince words; she showed him tough love, and each time I thought he’d refuse to return. He never refused. We’d have half of a session together to discuss family issues, and then he’d ask me to wait outside so he could talk to Winnie about girls. It always amazed me that my son felt so comfortable talking to Winnie. This then 6’4” high school senior cried when he hugged Winnie goodbye as he left for college. Winnie was a very special person. She will be missed, but the good work that she did in her lifetime will live on through those that she helped.
Winifred said we should celebrate her life, not mourn her death. But it’s so difficult to not mourn her. She was vivacious, active, interested, interesting, and full of life in every way I can imagine. I am not able, yet, to fully grasp that she is gone.
She was a good friend for over 25 years- a friend to me and to my husband and son. I can only hope she that her essence, travels a bit to me through the ether.
I love you, Win. Wait for me and we’ll go for a cup of tea.
Love, Karen
2012 aug 13
I had the pleasure of working with Winnie at NASSAU BOCES. She helped me so much my first year of teaching. She was always willing to lend a hand when one was needed. She was such a caring and supportive woman, one that will be missed by all. My deepest sympathy to her family.
I am so very sad to hear of Winnie’s passing. I worked with her at the Rosemary Kennedy School/Nassau BOCES for several years until her retirement. EVERYONE loved her, staff, administrators, parents and students alike. She was a gifted social worker who worked her tail off and that beautiful smile never left her face. Please accept my deepest condolences. She and her dear family and friends are in my heart.
Love Lives On
Those we love are never really lost to us -
we feel them in so many special ways-
through friends they always cared about
and dreams they left behind,
in beauty that they added to our days…
in words of wisdom we still carry with us
and memories that never will be gone…
Those we love are never really lost to us -
For everywhere their special love lives on.
A. Bradley
Winnie’s legacy will live on in those who had the honor and priviledge of knowing her.
I was saddened and surprised to hear this today. I didn’t know Winnie very well,but she certainly went out of her way for me.Having known my Greatgrandfather Joseph Raynor had been born in the house she owned I used to drive by curiously.One day I saw her weeding and stopped to ask her about the age of the house. I had said Joseph was born there in 1856.She was thrilled and asked me to come in and see it without knowing me. Alot of people would not have done that .My sympathy to her loved ones.
I worked with Winnie at RKS. She was such a great asset to our program. Her insight and caring nature eased difficult situations. Her smile and wit brightened our days. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with her.
My deepest condolences to her loved ones.
I had the honor of working with Winnie at RKS. She was always willing to lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on. She was very supportive whether the issue was school related or personal. Please accept my condolences and know that the world is a better place because of Winnie.
I had the privilege and honor of working with Winnie for many years at the Rosemary Kennedy School. She was always supportive of the students, their families and staff members. Winnie was the consumate professional who loved what she did. She was an asset to RKS. My heartfelt condolences to her entire family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Winnie was not only a classmate at St. Catherine’s, but a cheerful, funny, and a great example for all of us!
I worked with Winnie at Western Suffolk BOCES, preschool program. She was a warm, funny, smart and wonderful woman. It was a pleasure knowing her.
My condolences to her family, whom she frequently talked about lovingly.
I attended the College of St. Catherine in the Nursing Program with Winnie and remember her fondly as a warm and friendly classmate. I was saddened to learn of her death. I am certain that Winnie was a wonderful nurse in all of her endeavors. She will be missed.
Winnie, I will miss you so much and the good times we all shared at St. Kate’s. I have thought of you so often over the years. Your sister was so gracious to us when we visited. We were in awe of her lovely home and gracious welcome. Your family and all of us have lost a radiant, funny, vivacious being.
Winnie and I were friends at St. Catherine’s. She was such a delightful friend, always so caring and cheerful. She brought a special light to all she knew. Condolences and prayers for God’s blessings to her family and friends.
Winnie was my late husband Bill Huber’s best friend and mentor with years of long distance phone calls and many visits to us in Jordan and then Florence, CO. I’m sorry that I didn’t know Winnie was ill. What a shock to have lost such a good friend.
I will miss those heartfelt phone calls and that infectious laugh.
For every tear, a memory.
For each memory, a smile.
RIP Winnie – and I know that you and Bill can now solve ALL the problems of the world.
My sincere condolences to her sisters and family.
Nancy Huber, Florence, CO
Decades ago I came to know dear Winnie through my good friend, Jann Gray and even then I found her to be a young woman of great grace. This continued throughout her lifetime. Winnie will be so missed by anyone who knew her.
Love you miss Winnie. Miss you so much. You’ve always been in my life and I know you always will. Rest in peace Miss Winnie. Love you and thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me.
It has taken me since Aug.1st, the day Winnie died, ’till now to feel clear enough to put my feelings into words. Winnie and I met in our supervision group, a group of seasoned clinicians who meet every other week to share our cases and concerns. Winnie’s practical no nonsense input and her intuitive insights were a centerpiece of our meetings. Immediately after out first meeting, Winnie and I acknowledged a special feeling for each other. That feeling never wavered and I think of her daily.
You were and are deeply loved and passiopnately missed dear friend. How fortunate I feel to have known you.
I feel so fortunate to have know Winnie thru our supervision group. I miss her clarity and her insights that were so much “on target”. I think of her often especially when I pass by her neighborhood. I especially cherish the visits that i had with her during her last days when she was at home . Just being with her was a wonderful gift for me. I miss her dearly.
My sincere condolences to her family and her dear friends.