Winifred M. Camire

Winifred M. Camire, 90, of Lawrence, MA passed away peacefully Friday, June 21, 2024 at The Berkeley Nursing Center surrounded by her loving daughters.  Born on May 15, 1934, “Winkie” was the daughter of the late Wilfred and Emma (Desrochers) Camire. She was born, raised and educated in Lawrence. 

Winkie married the late Edwin Witkiewicz in 1958 and focused her time as a stay home mom raising her girls. Though she held several positions over the years, she found her true calling when she became a Certified Nursing Aide in 1992 at Sutton Hill Nursing and Retirement Center in North Andover.  Following retirement, Winkie volunteered in the Foster Grandparent program at the Marsh Elementary School in Methuen assisting kindergarten students.

A self-taught artist, Winkie had a life-long passion for drawing, painting, and crafting. She loved to immerse herself into creative projects from painting a wall mural in her home to designing and building a miniature fishing village for the Dolan’s Seafood storefront in Andover to painting the Santa Claus displayed at the original Christmas Tree Shop on Cape Cod.   

Winkie was an avid gardener, and helped establish a community garden at her residential community in Methuen.  She enjoyed bird watching and spending time with her cats. Her creative spirit led to poem writing in later years and many of her witty poems were shared with residents and staff at Berkeley. Above all, she cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  Her positive, cheerful, helpful nature, and smiling face will be forever remembered.

Winkie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughters Sharon (Witkiewicz) DePeau, and her partner Mark DiOrio of Duxbury, MA, and Shelley (Witkiewicz) Fabrizio of Amesbury, MA, grandchildren Jason DiZazzo and his wife Katelyn, Nicholas Fabrizio and his wife Colleen, Jenna Fabrizio, Jake Fabrizio, great-grandchildren Evelyn DiZazzo, Conor Fabrizio, and several nieces and nephews.  Winkie was predeceased by her sister June Rhodes of Danvers, and cherished long-time companion Joseph DeMonaco of Methuen.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at The Berkeley Nursing Center and Compassus Hospice Care for their compassionate care and support.

A private service will be held to honor Winkie’s life and legacy.  Donations in Winkie’s memory may be made to:  The Berkeley Retirement Home (in memo note “FBO Residents Fund”).  Mail to: The Berkeley Retirement Home, 150 Berkeley St, Lawrence, MA 01841.

Arrangements are by the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA.  To leave an online condolence, please visit Winkie’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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