Helen Jean Winther, 92, of Mystic died Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Pendleton Health and Rehab in Mystic. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, George B. Winther.
She was born on February 1, 1927 in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of James Emmett and Mary (Begley) Davin.
Nicknamed “Jean” by her family, she grew up in East Hartford, where she attended St. Mary’s grammar school, and was a graduate of East Hartford High School.
She married George Winther on April 19, 1952 at St. Mary's Church in East Hartford. They made their home and raised their family in the same East Hartford neighborhood that Jean grew up in, where she focused on caring for her family. Jean also helped her father with his construction business by taking care of the bookkeeping for his company, James E. Davin & Sons. Once her children were older, Jean worked for a local candy maker in East Hartford for several years, making handcrafted chocolates that sometimes made their way home as special treats for her family. Jean was well known for her notorious sweet tooth! She also worked for the American Lung Association in East Hartford for several years, before moving to Mystic with her husband in the late ‘70s to help him start his business, George B. Winther Yacht Services. In addition to handling the accounting aspects of George’s growing business, she enjoyed working in the membership department of the Mystic Seaport Museum. She retired at age 65 after working at the Mystic Seaport Museum for many years.
Jean was an excellent home cook and baked wonderful desserts for her family. She also loved flowers and could often be found puttering around in her small garden in her spare time. She was an avid reader and frequent visitor to the Mystic Library after she retired.
In addition to her husband she is survived by her son, Eric and his wife Doree Winther of Florida; her daughter, Deborah Winther of Massachusetts; her granddaughter Kate (Riopelle) and her husband Yunior Andujar of Massachusetts; her grandson William (Billy) Riopelle of Massachusetts, and her beloved great-grandson, Leo Andujar of Massachusetts. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families, whom she had a great fondness for.
She is predeceased by her mother and father, James Emmett and Mary (Begley)Davin, her brothers, Robert and James (Buddy) Davin, her sisters Mary Lee and Frances (Billie)Davin, and her nephew, James Lee.
Her family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, July 12 from 2 to 3pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 3:00 at the funeral home. Burial will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) in Jean’s memory would be appreciated. Together we will find a cure!
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