Obituary of Winsome Henning

Winsome Henning (nee Cooke) lived a fascinating and singular life of 90 years. Born in West Hartlepool, England in 1930, she was a trained singer and dancer, who performed professionally in pantomime from the age of 15. It was a vocation ingrained in her personality even though life threw her for many loops. She immigrated in 1956 to Ontario with her husband Heino and their young daughter, but she always remained a true Brit in her soul. While the marriage did not last, they remained friends, and Winsome carved out a life for herself as a businesswoman and a teacher. Eventually she settled in Regina to be closer to her daughter and her family, and she quickly became enamored with the rugged beauty of the prairies.

‘Nana Win’ will be remembered for her feisty personality, her love of striking glamorous poses for photos, her passion for dancing, Eastern philosophy, environmentalism, her notorious stubborn streak and her wonderful sense of humour.

Winsome lived life on her own terms and so her peaceful passing on August 7th, 2020, after a frustrating deterioration in her health, is received by her loved ones with bittersweet sadness. She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Alix; her son-in-law Stephen McLellan; her three cherished grandchildren Matthew (Susan), Elizabeth (Geoff), and Samantha (Gordon); her beloved great grandchildren Catherine, Nathan, and Isabella; sister Freda, nephew Mark, and great-nephew David in England; as well as extended family and so many dear friends that she adopted as family. She touched many lives and is already greatly missed.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the David Suzuki Foundation, 219-2211 West 4^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6K 4S2.