Winifred Christina Roberts was born on Christmas Day, 1930, to David and Winifred Mary (Maddox) in Liverpool, Lancashire, England. She passed away in Maryville, Missouri, on August 9, 2021, at the age of 90.
Winnie, the 2nd of three children, grew up in the seaside town of Hoy Lake, Doncaster, and near the river Mercy in Speke, attending Catholic primary and secondary schools, completing at the age of 16.
She and her family faced formidable hardship during WWII, having twice been bombed out of their home by an aerial torpedo and incendiary bomb. Nights were spent in blackout and air raid shelters, listening to the sound of bombs exploding followed by bricks dropping like dominoes. At school Winnie joined her classmates doing her part to help the Home Front, knitting balaclavas and mittens for the soldiers. It was in her youth that Winnie developed a lifelong love of sewing.
Following V-Day, Winnie went to work in a Liverpool matchbox factory, helping to restore and rebuild all that the family lost during the war. In 1953, Winnie came to the United States, settling in Lamoni, Iowa, where she was embraced by a loving supportive community.
In 1955, after attending beauty school in Des Moines, she opened Winnie’s Beauty Salon in Lamoni. And in 1964, the little lady with the English accent married Charles Richardson of Hatfield, Mo.
Under the tutelage of her Hatfield lady friends, Winnie became a farmer’s wife; and short of learning to dress a chicken or filet a fish, she became very skilled in her country surroundings. Her organic garden provided the family with fresh fruits and vegetables and an abundance of canned goods. Her culinary skills were honed as she was always prepared serve a big meal at the table or run it to the men in the field.
Winnie enjoyed many years as a member of the MITE Society and Heartland Quilters Guild. Inspired by the Mite members’ artistry, fellowship and charity, Winnie began quilting and participating in the group’s Thursday meetings. At home she was serious about the craft, using her connection to color and pattern to make traditional and original quilts. Her quilting was creative, and with every stitch, her workmanship and needlework was precise.
Winnie was also member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, having been baptized and confirmed into the church in 1957, attending the Lone Rock, Lamoni, Allendale and Bethany congregations.
She is predeceased by her husband, Charles Richardson; parents; brother, David Roberts (infant); sisters-in-law and husbands, Ava (Leo) Lloyd, Roberta (Gerald) Parsons, and Helen (Harold) Arkoff and niece, Christina Bjorland.
Winnie is survived by her children, James McBroom (Jeanie), Eagleville, Lisa Macali (Al), Maryville, David Richardson, LeHigh Acres, FL; grandchildren, Christopher McBroom, Melissa Henggeler, Kyle Macali, Ian Macali, Lauren Macali, Aaron Mathes, and Chad Mathes; 3 great grandchildren; sister, Patricia Bjorland and husband, Ron Bjorland.
Winnie faced life’s challenges and opportunities with a deep faith and much grace. She rejoiced in sharing a ‘nice cuppa tea’ with friends and greeted all those she met with a ‘Hello Luv’.
Winnie has been cremated under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Memorials Services will be held at a later date. Inurnment in Payne Cemetery, Hatfield, MO with her husband, Charlie, will also be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com