Obituary of Constance Van Winkle

Constance Cotter Van Winkle, age 97, died on Monday, July 7, 2003 at McCutchen Friends Home in North Plainfield. Born in New York City, she was raised in Nutley and lived in Honolulu, Hawaii before to moving to North Plainfield approximately 20 years ago. Prior to her retirement, Mrs. Van Winkle worked as Assistant Director of Personnel for Lyons VA Hospital in Lyons. Previous to this, she was employed with the US Quartermaster Depot of Somerville, NJ. She worked with the civil service during World War II from 1937-1943 while living in Hawaii. During her time in Plainfield and No. Plainfield, she was a member of Church of the Holy Cross-Episcopal in No. Plainfield. She was an avid member of her womens club as well, where she was involved in writing, producing and appearing in several community plays. She loved to read, especially murder mysteries, and was knowledgeable in many subjects. Mrs. Van Winkle was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Van Winkle, her youngest daughter, Patricia Hooper, her sister, Evelyn James, and her daughter-in-law, Anne Pratt. She is survived by 2 sons, Dickson Judd Pratt of Westfield and Lewellyn Pratt and his wife Donna of Bloomington, IN; one daughter, Constance Shultz and her husband William of Mentor, Ohio; one step-daughter, Jean Warren of Maine; 19 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross-Episcopal in North Plainfield. Interment of ashes will follow in the churchs Memorial Garden. Arrangements are by Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West 8th Street, Plainfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Holy Cross, 40 Mercer Street, N. Plainfield, NJ 07060.