Winifred Marie Brannon
March 2, 1925 - January 16, 2021
Winifred Marie Brannon, age 95, of Milford, DE, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021.
Born in Wilmington, DE on March 2, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Patrick and Winifred Marie (Hare) Bain. During war time, Winifred worked for Electric Hose & Rubber. She later took on roles for a printing press factory, school cafeteria, and several delis. Lastly, Winifred made a living as a deli manager for Pantry Pride. She loved cooking, especially holiday meals. Winifred also enjoyed visiting the beach, fishing with her husband, traveling, and going to flea markets. She was very devoted to the Blessed Mother and always prayed to her for guidance for her children and grandchildren. Most of all, she cherished being with her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Winifred was preceded in death by her husband, David J. Brannon, Sr.; daughter, Joyce W. Brannon and brothers, John Bain and Robert Bain. She is survived by her children, Patricia M. Carl (Charles) and David J. Brannon, Jr. (Lynn); grandchildren, Charles, Brian (Karen), Jennifer, Kelly, Charles and Catherine; great granddaughters, Charli, Kaitlyn, Cassidy, and Kristin; and great great grandchildren, Tate Brian Viebrock and Halle Lynn Viebrock; as well as additional grandchildren; and nieces and a nephew.
All services will be held privately. Interment will be held privately at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.
Winifred’s family would like to offer a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Seasons Hospice and Brookdale for their kindness and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Winifred’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Milford Senior Center, 111 Park Avenue, Milford, DE 19963.
Dana R Hyde
With the current inauguration of President Biden, my thoughts turned to a special memory in my Navy shore duty days back in 1982-85 when I worked alongside Mrs. Brannon’s lovely daughter Joyce. She was the most special woman I had been privileged to meet in my (unfortunately often troubled) 11-year Navy career, and my favorite shipmate among a handful of Delaware natives I’d known. An avid follower of current events, I asked her if she had ever met the Bidens, and I believe she replied that prior to enlisting she had been acquainted with Beau, then a teen. I do recall Joyce bringing her absolutely delightful mom into our Norfolk office at least once, likely twice. I’ve always adored redheads, and was so taken by their similar faces! While Joyce was five years my junior, our parents were born in identical years. She was a comforting friend when my dad passed in 1983 while I was 31 (I was fortunate that my previous ship’s chaplain and his assistant were still aboard so I could participate in the at-sea burial he had desired). After my enlistment ended, I stayed in Norfolk for 22 months before heading to New Jersey for new opportunities (and stayed there for 22 years). Prior to leaving, Joyce (then managing Reservists at Little Creek) was probably the last Navy friend I visited to bid farewell to. It’s been a period of loss for me; my mom passed in 2019 after spending her last two years in a nursing home, and my 32-year-old nephew succumbed to drug addiction three months ago. {I so regret not managing to contact Joyce while she was still alive; she certainly didn’t deserve to die at 53.} Last but not least, I want to extend my sincere condolences to your magnificent family and everyone else who has known Mrs. Brannon. Sincerely, Dana Robert Hyde, Gloversville NY. (voice/text 609-977-4455)
Jennifer McKathan
I have so many fond memories of my Mommom. She often said Thank You kindly to anyone who waited on us, she smelled of baby powder, had a calendar in every room, including the bathroom, taped money in a card with more tape than anyone should use. I loved how she would say “Dont worry be happy” in every card she sent and how she would bring us Dunkin donuts on the weekends when we were little. I will always remember helping her in the garden, cooking, Windy parties and going to Woolworths. She loved a cup of hot tea and I know that is what kept her so young at heart. She loved Mommas Family, Golden Girls and Bing Crosby. She always had us over for a meal and I make her stuffed peppers recipe to this day! She was witty and so many of her traditions will be cherished. She would say, “Men, just put them all on a boat to China” when she was irritated with my Poppop. It made me laugh and she followed it up with just love them and leave them- she was funny! I know she loved us and would be so proud of us and her great-grandkids, had she known them. As always when one passes, you have regrets. I regret not making more of an effort to see her each year I went back to Delaware. No matter how long it has been since we last saw or talked to each other, I know she wanted to! My sister and I still impersonate her traits and will forever remember how excited she was to hear how we were doing. My birthday would never be complete until she called me, I can still remember when she stopped calling but now she can go back to being herself and share the day with us. We miss her dearly but her memory will live in us forever! RIP mommom!
Jennifer McKathan
Karen Smith
Winnie was my second grandmother she would always have her home and her heart open. She will be miss in my heart and my family Rip 🙏and I will not forget you 💜 I love you very much.