Winifred L. Messner

Winifred “Winnie” Lois (Leupold) Messner, of Southington, CT passed away peacefully at Southington Care Center on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the age of nearly 102. She was the beloved wife of the late William F. Messner for 56 years. 

Winnie was born in New Britain on March 16, 1922 to the late Albert and Albertina (Baumgartner) Leupold. After marrying her husband William in 1945, they moved to their Southington home in November of 1947, where they raised their four children. Winnie lived in this beloved home for 73 years, eventually moving to Southington Care Center in 2020. 

Winnie retired from Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington where she worked in payroll and personnel for many years. She was a longtime active member at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southington where she enjoyed singing in the choir.  She was also a member of the Southington Festival Chorale for many years, as well as an avid duckpin bowler for over 50 years. After her retirement, Winnie stayed active, volunteering at the VNA and playing badminton and tenpin bowling at the Senior Center for many years. Winnie and Bill also enjoyed traveling in their retirement. 

Winnie leaves behind four children:  two daughters, Judith Blessing and Kathleen Szabat, both of Plantsville, two sons, David Messner and his wife Kathy (Dennison) of Forestville and Thomas Messner and his wife Carol (McCusker) of Winchester; 5 grandchildren: Christopher Messner (Michiela), Leigh Messner Quiros (Marcus) Jennifer Blessing Miceli (Michael), Kathleen Blessing and Joshua Szabat and her six great – grandchildren: Kaelyn, Eiryn, Morgan, Christa, Declan and Vincent. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins. 

In addition to her husband Bill, Winnie was predeceased by two sons-in-law, Henry Blessing and Zygmunt Szabat, two grandsons, Christopher and Daniel Szabat, as well as her sister, Florence Haas and brothers, Herbert, Ernest and Richard Leupold. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Southington Care Center for their kindness and the wonderful care they provided to Winnie.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Winnie’s memory may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 232 Bristol St., Southington, CT 06489.

Calling hours will be held  from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. A funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 232 Bristol St., Southington. Burial will follow in South End Cemetery, Southington. To join the church service remotely at 11:00 a.m. , please follow this link (https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/4872624918/). To join the burial remotely which will follow the church service, please follow this link (https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1103777202/). For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.