CHAFE, Winnifred Glace Bay

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Winnie Chafe, 83, on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at MacGillivray Guest Home, Sydney. She was born December 25, 1936 in Sydney Mines. Having graduated from high school, she attended Normal College in Truro, NS, to become an Elementary school teacher. At the age of nine, she began to play the violin under the instruction of Sister Louise Francis and Professor James MacDonald. In 1964, in Pembroke, Ontario, she became the first woman to win the International Fiddling Championship which began a long and remarkable career in music. Throughout the early 1970s she was featured as lead fiddler on the nationally renowned CBC series “Ceilidh” and from there, her music took her across North America and the United Kingdom. Throughout her life, she has received numerous awards for her contributions to the culture and music of Cape Breton and Scotland, including two Honorary Doctorates from St. Francis Xavier University and Cape Breton University. In 1996, she was asked by the Canadian Navy to become the Sponsor of the HMCS Glace Bay and thus began another phase of her life. She christened the ship and from there maintained a close relationship with its Officers and crew. To this day, she is fondly referred to as the “Mom” of the ship. In 2017, Winnie became the first woman to be awarded the Canadian Masters International Fiddling Championship Lifetime Achievement Award. As her family, we are very proud of her accomplishments as a violin instructor and world class performer. Above all, Winnie loved her family and was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Winnie is survived by her three daughters, Pat Chafe, Christina (Roy) Johnson and Deanna (Allan) Ferguson. She is also survived by her sister, Ann (the late Bill) Boozan; brothers, Andre (Arlene) MacMullin and Jim (Sharon) MacMullin; grandsons, Ryan (Alisha Marr) Nagy, Daniel (Tonya Leon) Nagy, Justin (Kristen DePalma) Lee and Matthew (Sheena) Lee, as well as her four great-grandchildren, Ryder, Jorja, Mia and Layla; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents, Rod and Tena MacMullin, Winnie was predeceased by her husband, Mike Chafe; brothers, Marcellus (Sonny) and Joe MacMullin. A visitation to the public will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve Street in Glace Bay (902) 849- 4199. A private family service will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2020, officiated by Fr. Duaine Devereaux, with burial service to follow at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens. We would like to send a special thanks to the Staff of VON Adult Day Program, CBRH Palliative Care team and, most especially, the staff and caregivers of MacGillivray Guest Home, who became her second family and loved her as we always have. We are so grateful to everyone who took care of Winnie and gave us their support. She brought a special beauty to life and sparkle to the world but will be forever remembered for her hugs and smile. Her favourite saying was “Every Day’s a Blessing” and we were all blessed to have had her joy and love in our lives. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.tjtracey.com. COVID-19 guidelines of wearing masks and social distancing are mandatory.