Ada Jeannette (MacLaren) (Bruce Winslow) October 1922 – July 2015
Chatham- Ada Winslow passed away peacefully on July 13, 2015 with her daughter, Heidi, by her side at the Liberty Commons Center in Chatham. She was born in October 1922, to Harold and Maude MacLaren of Sutton into a family of four sisters and three brothers of whom are all deceased except one surviving sister, Alta (MacLaren) Eaton. Ada was predeceased by two husbands, Russell W. Bruce, and Kenneth D. Winslow Sr. and a daughter, Bonnie L. Winslow. She is survived by two sons and two daughters, Lee W. Bruce of Dennis, MA, and his wife, Karin; K. Dennis Winslow Jr. of Rensselaerville, NY, and his husband Mark; Merrilee (Bruce) Wiley of N. Brookfield MA; Heidi L. (Winslow) Gallo and her husband Alan of Eastham, MA. Ada was blessed with four grandchildren, Brenda (Wiley) Flanigan of Amherst, MA; Brian L. Wiley of Marshfield, MA; Sabine (Bruce) Jordan/Blanchett of Southgate Kentucky; and Krista (Wiley) Culina of Orono, ME. Ada was the grandmother to seven great grandchildren, Madelyn Jordan, Garrett Jordan, Joey Blanchett, and Alyssa Blanchett all from Kentucky; and Madison, Benjamin, and Nathan Culina all of Orono, Maine, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Having been born into the “Greatest Generation”, Ada and her peers adopted and practiced the positive “can-do” attitudes so necessary during the war years and later in raising a family. She was superb in doling out the right blend of compassion and forthrightness to friends and her children. She loved music, including opera. Usually on Saturday’s while cooking pies, and coffee bread, she’d be singing along with Rise Stevens of the Metropolitan Opera who sang on the radio for the Texaco Opera Hour. The high notes were memorable. Her fondest memories she shared with us was about the war years when she danced to the big bands like Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and others. Occasionally, when times were tough, she’d either hum or sing “You’ll find that life’s worthwhile, if you just smile”. However, the song, “Bring in the Clowns”, was her all-time perennial favorite. When she listened to it her eyes cast a distant view and the words seemed to summarize her life.
Ada worked in retail for the better part of her later years. Her last employment was in the “Sturbridge Village Bookstore” in Sturbridge MA. It was during her work at Sturbridge she had demonstrated her craft of counted cross sewing. At one point she had coordinated with Norm Abrams, of the New Yankee Workshop program, to help him research documents and pictures of the baby cradle project in the bookstore. Ada also was a member of the Ada Chapter Order of the Eastern Star (OES) in Millbury MA, and rose to the position of Worthy Matron. Throughout the years she developed long term friendships which she deeply cherished. Friends had different names for her. Some would call her Ada, (though that was very rare) while others liked to call her “Jeannette” especially her nieces and nephews who used “Auntie Jeannette”. Most of the time, though, she was called “Scotty” because she was proud of her Scottish heritage. Those who knew her would say there goes a woman who cherishes friendship, is passionate about staying positive despite tumultuous times, and lived her life with the fullest measure of gusto that she could muster with a splendid sense of humor.
There will be a day for those who’ve never met her. But when you get to the other side, she’ll be there to greet you with a broad smile, firm handshake, and an invitation to come on in to a drink and dance. Her name is Ada, or Jeannette, but most likely her name tag will say “Hi, I’m Scotty”. Till then we’ll keep her memory and infectious spirit in our hearts and bring in the clowns.
A memorial service will be held later in the year.
Charitable donations are suggested to be given to Hope Hospice, the VFW, or a charity of your choice in memory of Ada Winslow.