Winifred (Winnie) E. Gubser passed away the evening of August 17, 2012 Winnie was born January 14,1920 on a farm near the small town of Alexandria, SD to Fred and Mildred Connell and was the middle of 6 children. Dorothy Boone, Dale Connell, Wilbur Connell, Gilbert Connell and Glenn Connell.
After high school she moved to the Detroit area and during World War II she operated a lathe making gun barrels. During these years she learned secretarial skills and this was the beginning of her life long career.
Winnie had a son Ronald Dean born July 30,1946 in South Dakota and Ron passed away December 31, 2000. Winnie followed her brother Dale to California in 1948 and was a resident of Gilroy while working in the school district.
Winnie was active in the Presbyterian Church as a Sunday School teacher. Winnie was that school secretary in the principal’s office that we all knew, loved and depended on when we matriculated through school. She impacted so many students lives.
November 14, 1959, she married again to August Robert (Bob) Gubser and moved to Novato where they had her son Ronald and his son Robert Gubser with them. Robert often commented, he was so fortunate that his favorite Sunday school teacher became his Mom. Winnie also had a step-daughter Carolyn (Gubser) Atkins who passed away on May 21, 2011.
With a job change for Bob in 1965 they relocated to Capitola. Winnie immediately became a school secretary again where she was active in so many students lives. Winnie loved to walk to the Capitola beach area. She never knew a stranger, she talked to everyone who was there. So many walks on walks on the train tracks and trestle over those 47 years to the beach.
Winnie was also active in Weight Watchers organization for many years. The weekly meetings of signing and weighing people into meetings. Another time to make all feel warm and welcome at these weekly meetings. She also shared with all of us about the Weight Watcher conferences she attended, ever expanding the long list of friends.
Winnie and Bob always opened their home to grandchildren, nieces and nephews to give them summer vacations at the beach. Winnie had six grandchildren and now seven great-grandchildren.
Winnie and Bob, in their second marriage reached that milestone of 50 years together which lead to a gala get together for the family.
Winnie’s last few years were taken from her with the onset of Alzheimer. Sadly taking away the loving person who knew and impacted so many friends and family.
The family wishes no flowers and please donate to your favorite charity on her behalf.
Winnie will be interred at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, in Gilroy on Friday, August 31, at 3:00 P.M. in Gilroy.
