Our beloved mother, Edwina Martha Squires passed away on July 3, 2023, after a long and well lived life both in West Virginia and Florida.
Edwina was born on February 2, 1927, to Harry and Mattie Kum in Reedsville. She was the youngest and last surviving child of eight.
Upon graduating from Masontown High School, where she lettered in basketball (all five feet of her), Winnie moved from the family farm to Morgantown, where she worked at the Hotel Morgan as the Montemarte’s first manager, managed the dining room, catering and special events until re-management; the O.J. Morrison’s Department store and retired from the accounts payable department at West Virginia University in 1989.
With retirement, she moved to Florida where she enjoyed 28 years of living in sunshine and warmth and didn’t waste a minute sitting in a rocking chair. Having never bowled in her life, she joined a bowling league, volunteered with the senior center, delivered meals on wheels, rode with crime watch, was president of the Orange Blossom Hills Community for many years, and was very involved with her church, sitting on the board and was a greeter most Sunday mornings.
Not much slowed Winnie down and she was willing to try almost anything once. She was known for her exceptional baking (cake decorating), hostess skills, organization and always getting the job done. She was affectionally known as Winnie, Cookie, and Buckwheat by her many friends and co-workers throughout the years.
She is survived by her four daughters, Kathryn Stevenson Giles (Larry), Susan Stevenson Maczko (Larry), Linda Merck Rinehart (Terry), and Karen Squires Whisler (Ricky) all of Morgantown. Eight grandchildren, Larry Giles (Felicia), Randy Giles (Mika), and Julie Giles McKenzie (Dana), Amanda Maczko Godard (Jason) and Kristen Maczko Katz (Jacob), Patrick Rinehart (Sarah), John Whisler, and Katelyn Whisler Hanberry (Nick). Almost 12 great-grandchildren, Jessica and Brianna McKenzie, Ty and Mya Giles, Brian and Ethan Giles, Kaely and Kortney Godard, Andrew Rinehart, Lucy Katz, Sutton Hanberry and his little brother due in December. Several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She will especially be missed by her niece Bonnie who never failed to send a weekly card and stay connected.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Marie, Rosamond, Vincent, Virginia, Dortha, Ina, and Kathleen. Also, her stepdaughter, Patty Stevenson Campbell; grandson, Corey John Giles; and spouses, W.C. “Pete” Stevenson, Thomas Merck, and John “Jack” Squires.
The family would like to thank Hospice and especially her nurses, Autumn, Barb, Marissa, and Mindy for helping with her care.
A family gathering is scheduled for a later date with burial in Florida. Her high school class reunion was one of her favorite events and she traveled from Florida every July to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Masontown High School Class of 1945 in memory of Edwina Kum Squires (Valley Alumni Association/PO Box 881/Masontown, WV 26542) or Pantry Plus More (9 Rousch Drive/Westover, WV 26501).
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