Winifred Bavor

Winifred Caroline Woodward Bavor of Decatur died peacefully Sunday, September 14, 2014, just prior to her 97th birthday, at Heartland/Manor Care Nursing Facility, Decatur, Illinois. Private family graveside services will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery on Friday, October 3, 2014, followed by public visitation from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will then be held at 12:00 noon at the church. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Winifred was born September 27, 1917, in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Clayton Emory Woodward. She was always proud of, and kidded about her earliest education at Millikin University in Decatur, she'd say, "when they taught kindergarten and first graders there." She graduated from Decatur High School, 1935, obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree at De Pauw University, 1939, and loved her Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters there. She completed a double Masters Degree in nursing, from one of only two at the time, nursing schools in the country, Western Reserve-Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio, 1942. She married Herbert John Bavor MD, February 12,1942. Mrs. Bavor was an avid reader and philanthropist her whole life loving the arts, music, nature and, "every living thing," she'd say. In her youth she loved and rode her horse after school and always said she thought, "a good dog was the closest thing to the angels," especially loving the four Airedale-breed dogs she had throughout her life. She loved her community always volunteering and participating in many activities and organizations, and took great pride in serving as an RN at the American Red Cross Blood Bank and Blood Mobile drives. She was a devoted member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Cheer Guild, Junior Welfare, PTA President of Mary W. French School, Bridge Club, Study Group, and Book Club. She was a PEO chapter BW member, 1952 eternal, and once a month, for 70 years, enjoyed all of her friends for the Birthday-Girls-Group luncheons on Fridays. Surviving are her daughter, Elizabeth F. Bavor of Decatur; her two sons, Dr. Hebert John Bavor Jr., wife, Caroline, and their 3 daughters, Claire, Allison and Katherine, all of Australia; Dr. Clayton Woodward Bavor, wife, Nancy, their daughter Anna, son Clay, his wife Kelly, and great-grandson Henry, all of California; and one niece, Melissa Shay and family, of Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard, sister Margery, her loving husband and dear daughter, Leslie Caroline Bavor. The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Smith, Dr. Muhammad Khan and the very special caretakers of Heartland/ Manor Care who were loving, kind and gentle with our Mother. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross Blood Banks and the American Heart Association. "
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