The College was sad to announce the passing of former Vanier employee, Winifred (Winnie) Da Silva, who died on July 25, 2013, at the age of 82.

Winnie was a member of the Technical Services Department of the Media Resource Centre (later Vanier College Library) for over 20 years.

Our sympathies go out to her family. The photo at lefty was taken here at Vanier sometime in the 1980s. The following text was written by Marguerite Corriveau, Vanier Communications Officer.

Originally hired to assist with typing subject headings and added entries on catalogue cards, she saw the amalgamation of the Snowdon and Ste-Croix libraries in 1986, participating in the physical move, sorting and re-shelving 150,000 books and serials during another hot July, and she ended her career at Vanier as Acquisitions clerk, pioneering the single-handed processing of orders, library material and payments using the newly installed integrated system.

For those of you who were here at that time, you would have noticed her for her trademark spike heels, which distinguished her from her “sensible shoe” library colleagues. As well Winnie was distinguished in her quiet manner and active courtesy to all.

Few knew she was something of an athlete, having played field hockey in her native Uganda, and becoming a darts champion in Canada. Her daughters, Bernadette and Barbara, studied at Vanier, and practice professional careers in law and medicine respectively.

The family has asked that contributions be made to the Girl Guides of Canada in her memory.

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Here is her obituary notice:

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 25th, 2013 at the age of 82 years. Beloved daughter of J.E. and Anne Cecil, cherished wife of Theo, proud mother of Bernadette (Michael) and Barbara (Hans). Dear sister of: Douglas (deceased), Jimmy (deceased), Louis (deceased) wife Fatima, Anne, John (Wendy) and Nancy (Vincent). She will also be lovingly remembered by all of her nieces, nephews and their spouses. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Girl Guides of Canada. Visitation was held at Rideau Funeral Home, 4275 boul. Des Sources, D.D.O., on Sunday, July 28th, 2013. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Thomas À Becket Parish, Pierrefonds, Qc on Monday, July 29th, 2013.

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