Winnifred A. Thoren

Winnifred A. “Winn” Thoren, 86, died at her residence and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 8, 2017 after a long and valiant 13 year battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Rockingham, Vt. on January 28, 1931, she was the only daughter of the late Harry L. and Florence M. Simonds. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don, of 51 years; her two brothers, Harry S. Simonds and his wife, Betsy, and William W. Simonds and his wife, Leona; her brother-in-law Robert J. Thoren; and her sister-in-law R. Lois Thoren.

Winn is survived by her two sons, Kurt E. Thoren and his partner, Sheila L. Foster, of Lynchburg, Va., Bruce D. Thoren and his wife, Kate, and their children, Josh, Ian, and Caleb, all of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Jacob of Gunnison, Colo.; a daughter, Elaine T. Cox and her husband, Scott, and their children, Abby and Maggie, all of Richmond, Va. She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother.

Winn lived in Weston, Vt.; E. Hartford, Conn.; Westbrook, Maine; and Danbury, Conn. before finally moving to Lynchburg in 1958. Winn was a homemaker for many years before working at the Lynchburg Housing and Redevelopment Authority. She graduated from East Hartford High School, Class of 1949. She also graduated from Westbrook College (now the University of New England), Class of 1951.

Winn was a champion equestrian rider while at Westbrook and beyond, competing throughout New England. She taught Equitation, the art of horse riding, to many so they could aspire to achieve championship level riding skills. Winn was a proficient square dancer and she and Don spent many weekends sharing their love for dancing. Winn enjoyed creating things with cloth, yarn, and thread. She was an excellent seamstress and loved to crochet, knit, and cross-stitch. She loved to work in the garden and she canned the fruits of her labor.

She was known for her lasagna when friends came to visit. In 1976-1977, the Thoren Family shared their home with a foreign exchange student, Bodil Pedersen, from Denmark. The family has maintained that relationship for the past 40 years and it was special that Bodil and her husband, Jan, could be with Winn and her family for her last days.

The family would like to thank Dr. Geeta Rakheram, the Centra Hospice Team and are grateful for the faithful and loyal care provided by Don and Winn’s in-home caregivers over the many years: Joyce Ramsey, Wanda Coleman, Lori Coleman, Melissa Mull, Sharon Ramsey, Melinda Ramsey, Mandy Burks, Shirley Morris, Kim Ramos, and Delores Gordon.

The family will receive visitors on Saturday, October 14, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg. A memorial service celebrating Winn’s life will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 21206 Timberlake Rd., Lynchburg, Va. with Pastor David Etheridge and Dr. Ben Gutiérrez officiating. A private family service will be held at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Weston, Vt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your local Alzheimer’s Association.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.