Winifred Nellie Kamm
April 10, 1924 – June 26, 2024
Forever In Our Hearts
Winifred “Winnie, Winky, Wink” Kamm passed peacefully on June 26thth at her residence in Lynnwood, WA. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday in April.
Winnie, the daughter of Stafford Lennox and Nellie Susan (Whitehead) Osborne, was born in Portland, OR, but spent most of her life in Illinois. She was the youngest of two siblings: sister, Muriel, and brother Robert. Winnie married the love of her life, John “Jack” William Kamm in 1942. They were faithfully and lovingly devoted to each other during their 71 years of marriage, and Winnie longed for this day to be with him again, after his passing in 2014. During their earlier years of marriage, they lived in Bellwood, IL, and later moved to Elmhurst, IL where they enjoyed raising their two daughters, Sue-Anne and Deberah. In 2001, she and Jack moved to Lodi, CA, where their eldest daughter, Sue, was residing. In September of 2013, they moved to the Seattle area to be with their youngest daughter, Debbie. They arrived in Seattle on their 71st wedding anniversary!
In her youth, Winnie was known as the “girl with the Pepsodent smile”. That smile was contagious throughout her 100 years of life. Winnie worked in the family insurance business in her adult life, and enjoyed Garden Club, sewing and needlecraft. She was devoted to her home, family, friends, and family dogs. Although an impeccable homemaker, she had an adventurous spirit which was evidenced when, even at the age of 95, she climbed up on the back of a camel at the Olympic Game Farm in Washington. The staff was amazed at her spunk and told her she rode better than those a fraction of her age. Winnie was an avid reader, crossword and bridge player, and even with poor eyesight, kept her mind sharp for 100 years.
Winnie is survived by her two daughters Sue-Anne (Ronald) and Deberah (Stephen); granddaughters Rebecca (Justin), Kimberly (Kole) and Jennifer; grandsons David (Beth) and Andrew (Holly); and ten great grandchildren as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in passing by her mother and father, loving husband, John, sister, Muriel, and brother Robert.
Memorial Service/Celebration of Life Information
Winnie’s life was celebrated with family and friends in April, 2024 at her 100th birthday party. Winnie and Jack’s ashes will be buried together as they are interred at Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois in October, 2024.