Mary Olive (Gainey) Winkels

Mary Olive (Gainey) Winkels passed away quietly in her sleep on April 21, 2015 in Columbus, North Carolina (NC) at the age of 91. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hazel (Etnier) Gainey of St. Charles & Winona, Minn., her brothers Melvin Eugene (1976) and John Jr. (1977), her sister Patricia Helen (Gainey) Lindblom (1976), and her husband Edward Francis Winkels (2006). She has no surviving relatives. Mary Winkels was born on August 4, 1923 in Winona, Minn. She was the last child of John and Hazel. There she attended Winona Senior High School and was graduated from the College of Saint Teresa (BA 1953) where she majored in English with minors in French, art and education. While at St. Teresa's she spent the summer of 1950 at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland perfecting her French. She was a member of the French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi. Mary held many positions during her life time. She served in the U.S. Navy W.A.V.E.S. from 1943-45 attaining the rank of Seaman Second Class. After receiving an honorable discharge, Mary worked at the Winona Public Library as a librarian and then as assistant to the Director of Research at Rochester Methodist Hospital, Minn. During this time she met her future husband, Ed Winkels. They were married in Winona on November 28, 1957. Subsequently, Mary attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and was awarded a Master of Arts in Library Science degree (AMLS, 1968). Her first professional position was at the St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan (1968-69). From 1969-79 Mary worked at the Health Sciences Library, State University of New York at Stony Brook on Long Island. She was continually promoted moving from staff librarian to Director, a position she held for 6 years. The Health Sciences Library is part of the National Library of Medicine's Network of Libraries. As a medical librarian and director, Mary was on the leading edge of technology and in a position to effect change. During her tenure she introduced the use of computer based programs to maximize internal library processes and maximize efficiency in assisting library patrons. She was also a vocal proponent of faculty status for librarians. Mary completed her career as Manager of the Technical Information Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. Mary was active in the Medical Library Association and Special Libraries Association. She was well respected as a professional and for her many contributions. Upon her retirement in 1981, she and Ed settled in Columbus, NC where they lived out their lives. Mary enjoyed reading, walking, listening to music, and visiting with friends. A sense of order, harmony and good taste was reflected in all her endeavors. She will long be remembered for her quick wit, clarity of thought and her smile. Mass will be 10AM on Wednesday, June 3rd at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Following Mass Mary and Edward Winkels will be laid to rest, next to her parents, at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery in St. Charles, Minn. Arrangements are being handled by the The Hoff Funeral Home, St. Charles (507) 932-4100