Winnifred "Winnie" Cain

July 19, 1921 - July 19, 2016

Winnifred "Winnie" Cain, 95, of Vineland, N.J., entered into eternal peace on July 19, 2016 at home with family . She died quietly in her sleep after a week of feeling increasingly tired. She leaves behind to treasure her memory 6 children: Morrison G. Cain (Hae Chun) of Bethesda, Md., Joseph Cain (Christine) of Old Chatham, N.Y., Martha Viel (Charles) of VIneland, N.J., Ellen Louie (Ronald) of South WIndsor, Ct., Mary Matzke (Douglas) of Reisterstown, Md., and Phyllis Di Legge (Rinaldo) of Schenectady, N.Y. The warmth of her caress and smell of fresh baked cookies will live on in the memories of 14 grandchildren: Michael Cain of Bethedsa,Md., James Cain (Sarah) of Austin, Tx., Amy Kaneko (Osamu, MD) of Palo Alto, Ca., Sarah Cain and Patrick Cain both of Los Angeles, Ca., Jessica Viel Trotta (Jonathan) of Alexandria, Va., Stephen Viel (Sydney) of Chanhassen, Mn., Alison Louie Anker (Christopher, MD) of Burlington, Vt., Douglas Louie of West Hartford, Ct., Aaron (Tabi) Matzke of Edgewater, Md., James Matzke and Katherine Matzke both of Reisterstown, Md., Amanda Di Legge and Sofia Di Legge both of Schenectady, N.Y. Winnnie's life had been gladdened by the addition of 4 great-grandchildren: Lilly and Chelsea Anker (Burlington,Vt.), Violet Cain (Austin,Tx.) and Endy Harley (Louisville, Ky.). Family was always her focus and she was so happy to learn of the anticipated arrival of two more tiny family members expected in the coming months. Winnie also had close loving relationships with a number of nieces and nephews, especially Sr. Joanne Fallon of Elmsford, N.Y. and Richard and Mary Louise Fallon of Rochester, N.Y. Her later years included a special Vineland friend, Ruth, with whom she enjoyed reminiscing. Winnie was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Morrison G. Cain, Jr., in 1976. Her parents Joseph Leo Shay and Winnifred McGillic Shay and her 3 older siblings: James Shay, Josephine Fulmer and Mary Fallon also pre-deceased her. She was born in Malone, N.Y., on January 25, 1921, and graduated from Potsdam State Teacher's College in Potsdam, N.Y. While her work career was brief due to her focus on homemaking and motherhood, education was always highly valued . She started the first kindergarten class in Berlin, N.Y., and volunteered as a substitute teacher at St. Christopher's Elementary School in North Tonawanda, N.Y. Winnie took great pride in the educational and professional accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She continued learning as a avid reader and viewer of historical and educational television shows . Those who knew Winnie well were aware that behind that diminutive figure lay a big hearted and determined lady. She faced setbacks in life with resiliency and practical problem solving. She was always willing to lend an ear and support to others. In fact, it was often hard to get her to think of her own needs as she thought of others first. She was always appreciative of the phone calls, cards and both large and small signs of others' thinking of her. She loved flowers, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and was quite a good artist. She had a good sense of humor, enjoyed sharing tales of her youth with her children and grandchildren and wasn't beyond gentle teasing with them. The twinkle in her eyes and the sharpness of her mind remained even as her body showed the wear of her advanced years.