Ethelwyn "Winnie" (Bartlett) Eyrick, aged 92, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2023, in La Porte, Indiana. She was born on July 27th, 1931, in East Orange, New Jersey, to Ralph and Elinor (Chambers) Bartlett.  Winnie grew up in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, graduated from Clifford Scott High School, and attended the Berkeley Secretarial School, both in East Orange. She also had a special connection to the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, where she had been a life-long summer resident.

 

Winnie married the Reverend Canon Benjamin Linford Eyrick on October 14th, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey, with whom she had four children and a loving marriage of nearly 45 years, until Father Eyrick's passing in 1995.  Following their marriage, the Eyrick family lived briefly in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and Hoosick Falls, New York, before moving to La Porte in 1956.  From that time onward, Winnie had been a faithful member of the congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in La Porte, where she formerly served as an altar guild member, church secretary, pre-school board member and pre-school assistant.

 

Winnie was known for her sense of humor and quick wit as well as her community involvement.  She had been a long-time volunteer with the La Porte Hospital, the Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts Library, and the Martha's Vineyard Museum, and spent many happy hours engaged in needlework and crossword puzzles.

 

Winnie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, Ralph "Bart" Bartlett.  Surviving family members include her sister, Alice Kraus of Naples, Florida; children, Mary Austin of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, Mark Eyrick of Clarence, New York, Catherine (Thomas) Chase of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, and Stephen (Carolyn) Eyrick of La Porte; as well as seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

 

A celebration of Winnie's life will take place on Saturday, September 23th, 2023, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m., officiated by The Rev. Canon Michelle I. Walker. Prior to the service, family and friends will gather at the church from 10:00 a.m. for a time of visitation.  A private family interment will occur at Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, MA.

 

Donations in her name may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Avenue, La Porte, IN  46350.

 

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.cutlercares.com.