Winifred “Winkie” Schaefer Chesley
OBITUARY
Winifred “Winkie” Schaefer Chesley, 89, was a resident of Wilton, Connecticut for over 50 years. She was the daughter of the late Frederick Maximillian Emile Schaefer and Helene Goldsmith Schaefer, and spent her childhood in Larchmont, New York, where Winkie developed her love of the sea. Some of her fondest memories were of sailing and fishing with her father. Ocean water grounded her, and in her later years she could be found beachside daily, walking her beloved dogs.
Winkie and her late husband, Willoughby F. Chesley, Sr, raised six children in Birmingham, Michigan, Bay Village, Ohio, and then Wilton, Connecticut. Never idle, when her children were younger, with patterns spread all over the floor, she could always be found at a sewing machine making the kids’ clothes and repairing costumes. In the kitchen, she would single-handedly put on the traditional Sunday dinners; and, she was forever making carrot bread for others. Each evening, she had knitting needles in hand, creating intricately patterned sweaters, mittens and hats.
She was always highly invested in her communities, volunteering and serving with numerous charities. She was the longtime bookkeeper for the non-profit Wilton Community Assistance Fund (previously named Wilton Interfaith Council). She served as an EMT with the Wilton Ambulance Corps, and was a hospice provider with Fairfield County Hospice, having deep-felt love and respect for patients with AIDS. In addition, Winkie volunteered numerous hours with Meals On Wheels, Minks-to-Sinks, STAR,Inc. Bread & Roses and Stay at Home Wilton.
Combining her passion for gardening and her drive to give of herself, she volunteered 40 years of service to the Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church, overseeing all aspects of the parish cemetery. She was responsible for the burial scheduling, site prep, working with families, and the cemetery record keeping. Not only did she oversee the grounds upkeep, she performed a good deal of physical maintenance herself, hauling jugs of water and potting soil. Winkie was taken by complete surprise several years ago, when the church erected a memorial bench in her honor.
Winkie’s need to always be giving of her time made a huge impact on her grandchildren, as she was fiercely devoted to fulfilling their needs with her time, talent and treasures. She had a generous spirit, offering room and board to recovering alcoholics, and those experiencing other challenging chapters of life. She loved giving surprise gifts to anyone and everyone.
Winkie was a role model as how to age with vitality and purpose. She had infectious energy. Winkie trained long hours walking the hills of Wilton, with a rock weighted backpack strapped to her, training for a hike in the Alps. She accomplished her mission six months later, spending the nights in hostels. She was 60 years old at the time.
“Winkie was predeceased by her beloved brother, Henry R Schaefer; with whom she shared a love for all living things, great and small. She is survived by her sister Frederica H. Schaefer; six children; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her dearest friend, Jean Wilson, of Colorado, whom she has known since her high school years at Rosemary Hall girls school, and who was her hiking partner on the Alps. Winkie will be greatly missed by many.
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Colleague Memories
I recently became aware of the passing of Winkie Chesley, Guardian of the ICA Area New York, from Wilton CT. Winkie was host to many ICA colleagues on their fundraising and event recruiting treks. She supported the New York House with her breath of fresh air presence bringing her famous seven bean soup, or suits for permeators, or pitching in on set up and serving, and so much more.
She holds a seat of honor on my meditative council as a guide through a dark night into the light of self-confidence to begin a new path. She introduced me to the labyrinth as a sacred ritual, and as an essential element in church and community renewal. Gee, she loved us all so much, i am sure her compassion lives on in the hearts of those who continue on this unshakable journey. Grieve Peacefully,
~~ Judi White
Winkie’s death feels like an era passing. The Wilton colleagues were great and always gave generously in development campaigns. We’d have a dinner at the New York House to set off each development campaign. I have great memories of our New Jersey colleagues too.
~~ Beret Griffith
Winkie was wonderfully supportive of us in ICA New York … kind words, volunteer hours, $$ contributions, building up our wardrobes, etc. Her buoyant personality was greatly appreciated.
~~ Nancy Trask
And, remembering, too, the Wilton cadre and the events that they organized for us…Wilton Town Meeting and a Youth Town Meeting and, no doubt, many that I cannot recall at the moment.
~~ Ann Ensinger