Mrs. Winifred “Winnie” F. (Kirwin) Annis, 71, of Hampstead, NH, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital with her loving family by her side. Born on November 1, 1951, in Lawrence, MA, she had been an area resident all her life. Winnie graduated from Salem Hospital Nursing School in 1972, and worked as a registered nurse in the operating room at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen for more than 25 years. She also worked in nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Catholic Medical Center for 10 years. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing. Winnie, a staunch academic, then pursued a career in law, graduating from the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, in 2005. She was a partner at the law office of Annis and Mulligan in Dracut, where she specialized in juvenile care and protection matters, and was a court appointed Guardian ad Litem for children with significant medical needs. Her medical and nursing background made her a go-to choice for legal cases that were both intense and demanding. Winnie was known as a strong legal advocate who aggressively represented her clients, while utilizing her quick wit to soften the most challenging arguments. She was also a member of the Woman’s Bar Association.
Winnie enjoyed her New England sports teams, but her most cherished time was spent cheering on her grandchildren on the sidelines of their sporting events, whether it was soccer, baseball or tennis. She loved to travel and spend time with her family, including ziplining through the White Mountains of New Hampshire and riding the roller coasters of Disney World.
Winnie was predeceased by her parents Edward and Genevieve (D’Zioba) Kirwin, two grandchildren: Rileigh and Adrienne Antaya, one brother Peter Kirwin. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Mathew Glenn Annis of Hampstead, NH, two daughters: Kerry Gertz of Haverhill, MA, Cynthia and her husband Keith Antaya of Haverhill, MA, one sister Gail Desrochers of Lowell, MA one brother Lawrence “Larry” Kirwin and his wife Nancy of Wilmington, MA. Her adoring grandsons: Brady Antaya, Liam Gertz, Blake Gertz; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Winnie’s memory to the National Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923. www.national.scleroderma.org or Team IMPACT, 500 Victory Rd., Quincy, MA 02171, www.teamimpact.org
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, October 3rd from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Edgar J. Racicot Inc. Funeral Home, 1400 Broadway Rd., Dracut. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 4th at 10:00 am, at All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, MA. Online condolences may be shared at www.racicotfuneralhome.com.