MULHALL (nee Platt)
Nora Winifred (Win)
1924 - 2014
It almost seems as though World War II occurred so that we would meet and plan our lives together. I, Victor, was a new posting to her RAF station in June, 1943 and she, only 18, a member of the WAAF, was on staff at the Officer's Mess. With my very first glance I fell in love, honestly she was so beautiful. She was more hesitant, so dating had to wait. Win loved dancing and she was perfect on the dance floor. We were often apart over the war years, but we met at every opportunity. In April 1945 we married. Fortunately we had two more years in England, enabling Win to say a long good-bye to her Mom and Dad and her 2 sisters and 3 brothers. As a "War Bride" Win would leave them all behind as she headed to Canada in August 1947, and would never see her parents again. She settled first in Weyburn, Sask, a family of three in a "war time" house. There, Win began her real chosen career: having and raising wonderful children. She had eight (in twelve years), she had easy deliveries and often wished that others could be so blessed. She was absolutely devoted to her children: Allan (Di), Dennis (Sharon), Barbara (Yves), Jacqueline (Allan), Douglas (Judy), Gail (Alan), Michael (Pam), and little Victor (his twin) who, much loved, died in infancy. Her small house (with only one bathroom) had bunk beds everywhere, and she was up most nights 'til midnight, ironing bed linen and the stack of cloth diapers regularly in use. While raising a large family, she was always involved in her community: on committees of home and school associations; canvassing for various illnesses, etc. She was a wonderful friend to the other veteran families on the street and her child-care and instinctive nursing skills were often consulted. Much of her time was spent guiding, molding, advising and helping her children become wise and good adults. Her personal example was always there for them to follow. As her children married and raised families, she spread her love and affection to all. In 1973 there was a move to Red Deer. Now there are 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. In the early years, money was scarce but later Win made regular trips to England (she loved Wardair!). Her English family visited Canada too. She was a great knitter and adept at crosswords and cryptoquotes. At 55, she took up painting and presented minor masterpieces to her kids. After 69 years of marriage and one month short of her 90th birthday, she succumbed to her 5 year affliction Pulmonary Fibrosis on June 27, 2014. Cremation has already taken place. A tribute to her memory is planned for Saturday, July 26, at 1:30 pm. at Parkland Funeral Home, Red Deer (north end of Ethel Taylor Drive).