Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Winifred "Win" Fitch

Female 1923 - 2012  (89 years)


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  • Name Winifred "Win" Fitch 
    Born 1923  London, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Name Winifred "Win" McLaren 
    Name Winifred "Win" Shantz 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-140759 
    Died 11 Feb 2012  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I140759  Generations
    Last Modified 25 Apr 2024 

    Family 1 Keith Shantz,   d. 1992 
    Married 1973 
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F35923  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Don McLaren,   d. 1972 
    Married Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F55424  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • SHANTZ, Winifred It is with great sadness that we announce that Winifred Shantz passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Kitchener, Ontario, in her 89th year. Winifred Fitch was born in London, England. She met Canadian Major Don McLaren during World War II and immigrated to Canada, marrying him in Kitchener after the war. Herself a potter, she became a vital part of the arts community in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. Don, retired Director of Recreation for the city of Kitchener, passed away in 1972. Her support for glass and ceramic artists culminated in the establishment of the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, a national gallery of which she and her second husband Keith Shantz were founding supporters. In 1990, she became a partner with Aggie Beynon in the ownership of Harbinger Gallery, showcasing contemporary Canadian visual artists, sculptors, jewellery, and ceramics. Her wide-ranging patronage of the performing arts included support for the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Stratford Festival, the Grand River Baroque Festival, the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Brush with Art and many others. Her support and caring for young artists was exemplified by the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics through the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, and the Keith and Winifred Shantz Summer Internships granting opportunities for University of Waterloo Fine Arts students to work with established artists. As well, she supported students from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in internships abroad. In the Kitchener-Waterloo community she was a supporter of many community causes including both hospitals. Win's wisdom and enthusiasm for life will be very much missed by her family and the many colleagues and friends whose lives she touched. She brought to so many the kind of insight, critique, understanding and support that can turn dreams into lasting success, in the arts, in business, and in life. A celebration of the life of Win Shantz will be held at the Clay and Glass Gallery, 25 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, Ontario on Sunday, March 18th from 2 to 4 p.m. Friends and family are invited to gather together and share memories. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery or the KW Symphony. Arrangements entrusted to The Erb & Good Family Funeral Home 171 King St. S., Waterloo www.erbgood.com

      Waterloo Region Record 11 Feb 2012

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 1923 - London, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 11 Feb 2012 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth