Winifred "Winnie" (Mitchell) Plante

Mrs. Winifred “Winnie” (Mitchell) Plante, age 90, a longtime Utican, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, January 24, 2011 in the comfort of her home with her loving family by her side. Born in Clark Mills on May 14, 1920, Winifred was the daughter of the late Charles F. and Cecelia (Roullier) Mitchell. She was a 1938 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School. On September 13, 1944 she married Royal F. “Scrub” Plante with whom she shared 33 years prior to his passing on November 23, 1977. Winnie was a truly devoted wife, and her family and home were her priority. Winnie began her working career at the original St. Joseph’s Infant Home where she worked with the children as a nurse and shared her motherly intuition. Later, her gracious personality yielded her employment as a waitress at Trinkaus Manor. She was proud to have operated the cafeteria at her alma mater, St. Francis de Sales School prior to her retirement in 1974. A gifted seamstress in earlier years, she could sew the latest fashions, clothing, and decorative touches. Winnie was a fair, non-judgmental, hardworking woman with a great sense of standards and morals. A woman of great determination and strength, she dealt with life’s adversities with courage and sensitivity. She had a wonderful sense of humor and it has been said that “she didn’t have that red hair for nothing!” She was a born caretaker who loved her children and grandchildren, and her goodwill often extended to friends and those in need. She expressed adoration for her “Blessed Mother Garden”, tending to it from morning to evening, an activity that served as a great relief from the day’s tension. She was one of the founders of the Meals on Wheels program in the 1970’s and an original board member of the Right to Life Committee. Winnie upheld a great sense of spirituality and faith in God. She was a member of the Altar Rosary Society at St. Francis de Sales for 34 years and a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) teacher during the 1960’s. She was a communicant of Historic Old St. John’s Church. Winnie is survived by her children and their families, Mary C. Plante and Jerry Godkin, Ben and Raina Plante, Anne M. Plante, Denise M. Plante; Gerald F. Plante and Stan Christi, and Gerald’s twin Girard A. Plante, and Therese B. Plante and her friend Carl Forlano; her grandchildren, Robert G. and Sharon Thrasher, Sheryl A. Thrasher and Laurence Sardina; Andre M. Fici, Joseph Plante, Vincent Hoover; and Daniel C. Plante; and her great-grandchildren, Bobby, Abigail; Ariana, Billy Dean, Isabelle, and Eliza. She also leaves her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and brother-in-law, Jim Phister. Winnie was also blessed with the longtime friendship and sisterly love of Jane Bauer, and her protective companion, Spirit. She was predeceased by her 11 siblings and their spouses. The gifts of faith, caregiving, and acceptance of the life cycle were teachings of Winnie’s; which her children courageously and respectfully displayed to her during her illness. The tender watch of Winnie by her home health aide’s Margo, Emo, Heidi, and Leea were offered with such love and kindness. A genuine thank you to the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. especially Kathy, Jan and Janice. At the time of Winnie’s passing, her family honored and prayed for her journey privately. Acts of kindness in the form of donations may be made to The Utica Center for Development of CNY (Veterans Outreach Center), 726 Washington Street, Utica, NY 13501, as well as envelopes will be available at the service. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Dwyer. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Winifred "Winnie" (Mitchell) Plante

May 14, 1920 - January 24, 2011