Winifred (Clarke) Meadows

Winifred (Winnie) Clarke Meadows passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 24, 2018.  She was born in Morehead, MN on April 20, 1927.  After losing her father early in life, she and her mother and two sisters took in boarders to make ends meet.

Winnie graduated from high school as Valedictorian in 1944 and went on to study at Morehead State University and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

As a member of the Greatest Generation, Winnie served as a veteran of the home front during World War II, working at the USO, picking fruit & potatoes in the fields, and collecting scrap metal for the war effort.

Winnie corresponded with her future husband Dick Meadows during WWII and they fell in love before even meeting. The family still has the letters they wrote to each other during this time.  She and her sister married brothers.  Winnie and Dick were married in Pasadena, CA in 1946 and made their initial home in Dayton, OH.  Their three daughters were all born there.

Winnie and Dick, with daughters in tow, chose Orange, CA in 1958 and made their lives there for the next 60 years.

Winnie was a devoted, loving wife and mother, along with serving in multiple leadership capacities.  She was PTA President at Cambridge Elementary, Yorba Middle School and Orange High School.  She was on the YWCA Board of Directors, Women’s Club Board, Orange National Bank Advisory Board and Deaconess and Session member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. She volunteered at the front admissions desk of St. Joseph’s Hospital for 38 years. 

Next to family, Winnie’s favorite passion was PEO, a philanthropic educational organization.  She joined Chapter S of Orange in 1969.  In her 49 years as a member, she served as Chapter President 4 times, Vice President 5 times, Treasurer 6 times, an International delegate and a State Representative twice.  Her sisters in PEO meant the world to her.

Winnie’s expression of compassion and love showed in her cooking and baking and especially in her quilts.  She created 100’s of quilting gifts for her friends and family.

Winnie was married to Dick for 69 years.   He predeceased her in 2015.  Her sisters Constance and Ferrand also predeceased her.  She is survived by her three daughters Kathleen M. Smith, Deborah L. Meadows (Sue) and Janice Kay Brown (Ken), plus her four grandchildren Michelle M. Smith, Tamara Smith Owney (Marcus), Lera K. Jackson (Emmitt) and Scott K. Brown (Meg).  Winnie also has six great grandchildren.

A huge thank you goes to Kirkwood of Orange for their wonderful assistance in caring for Winnie.  St. Joseph Hospice was invaluable in maintaining Winnie’s quality of life.  She is interred next to her husband Dick at Fairhaven Memorial Park.

Winnie’s memorial service is on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Orange.  A luncheon will follow the service in McAulay Hall.

In lieu of flowers,  donations in memory of Winnie may be given to:

Deacons Fund of First Presbyterian Church of Orange, 191 N. Orange Street, Orange, CA 92866 or,

PEO Chapter S Scholarship Fund, 333 East Brookshire Ave, Orange, CA  92865

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