Winifred Strange, 78, of Bradenton and formerly Anna Maria Island, died Jan. 25 at her home. Born March 5, 1945, in Red Bluff, California, to Verdon Earl Strange and Winifred Arabella Rose, Winifred was raised with older sister, Catherine Evleshin, who nicknamed her Pinky.
After graduating from California's Chico State College 'Pinky' began graduate studies in psychology at the University of Minnesota earning her Ph.D. there in 1972.
There, as a faculty member, she later married her great love and research collaborator, Dr. James (Jim) J. Jenkins. Married at her mother's home in California September 6, 1978, Jim's children--Bob, Lynn, and Chris became her family: their children--together with the grandchildren--brought great maternal joy to Winifred, as did her spiritual grandson, the late Christopher (Chris) Chisolm (to whom she was MomMom) and his daughter Eliza.
Professionally, Dr. Strange had many passions and pursuits. In academics, she was heralded as a pioneer in cross-language speech perception research, focusing on the influence of linguistic experience and perceptual training on non-native speech perception.
She served as a faculty member at the U-Minnesota, the University of South Florida, and the City University of New York-Graduate Center, mentoring more than 50 doctoral students and young colleagues. Dr. Strange was known as a strong advocate for women in science and was honored by the Acoustical Society of America with its rare Silver Medal for 'contributions to the advancement of science, engineering or human welfare through the application of acoustic principles.'
As Winifred sought to balance work-life passions, she continued a life-long interest in dance, opening Monarch Arts dance studio in her later years. She delighted in opera and old movies and tap danced throughout her lifetime. Annual Solstice parties were celebrated on her beachfront deck or condo lanai. For years, Winifred practiced meditation with a tightly bonded group. An active Democrat, she was known to shake a fist at injustice, raise a hand for equality, and wrap her arms around all in her expansive group of friends, colleagues, and students.
Survivors include her sister, Catherine (Nathaniel Pratcher), their children and grandchildren, cousins, Fred and Richard Strange and Stephanie Meineke; stepchildren Lynn Jenkins, Christopher Jenkins, their children and grandchildren, as well as those of the late Robert (Bob) Jenkins. Spiritual great-granddaughter, Eliza Chisolm and mother Kristine; and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held March 3, 2024, 1:00pm at her dance studio at 862 62nd St Circle, #103, Bradenton, FL 34208.
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Monarch Arts at the Dance Alliance of Bradenton (above) to establish a dance scholarship fund for children from low-income homes or you can make an online donation in support of the students in the Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences Program, CUNY-Graduate Center in Memory of Winifred Strange.
