Winifred Eileen Kingman

WINIFRED (WINNIE) E. KINGMAN passed away at Kaiser San Rafael Hospital on September 21, 2006. She was born on September 22, 2023 in Welland, Ontario, Canada to George Anthony Harris and Adelaide H. (Hoy) Harris. She moved with her family to Buffalo, NY, when she was 21 months old. Winnie contracted scarlet fever on the move to Buffalo, and her parents were told they should seek a more healthy climate in California. In 1925, they drove across country to settle first in El Cerrito and then Oakland, CA. In 1926 she met her best friend, Joyce Ritz, when they were preschoolers. This friendship lasted a life time. Winnie's family moved in with Joyce's family during the Depression. Winnie stayed in contact with many of her high school friends over the years. She graduated from Alameda High School in 1939. Winnie's first job after graduation was with the Federal Government, Department of Agriculture in San Francisco.

Winnie met Russ Kingman at church, where Russ told his friend that he was going to marry that girl without formally meeting her. They were married November 1, 1941, in the First Baptist Church in Alameda. Russ was in the Navy when they were married and first moved to Philadelphia. The next move was to Vancouver, WA, and then to Tacoma, WA. After the war, Russ reenlisted in the Navy and they lived in Guam from June 17, 2024 until March 26, 1948. They were then stationed at Pensacola, FL. After Russ left the Navy, they both studied at Baylor University, Waco, TX, where Russ received a master of arts degree in religion. In 1955, they moved back to Pensacola where he served as a pastor until 1961. They then moved back to Northern California. Before her parents passed away, they located Winnie's half-sister (Alice). Alice Causer had five children: Barbara (Brooke), Patricia (Platt), Graham Causer, Stuart Causer, and Sharon (Kollka). Winnie's nieces and nephews and their families all live in Australia.

Russ became executive director of the Jack London Square Association, which initiated both his and Winnie's interest in Jack London. While still living in Oakland in 1971, they established the first Jack London Bookstore in Glen Ellen, CA. Winnie said, "That was the best move Russ and I ever made." Russ and Winnie became known for their research and knowledge of Jack London. Their legacy has led to a renaissance of Jack London's life and extensive writings. In August 1976, the Kingmans started the Jack London Foundation to maintain source material and memorabilia that would promote research activities of Jack London's life and work. The bookstore was closed in September 2004, when Winnie was moved to an assisted living facility.

Winnie was preceded in death by her husband, Russ Kingman (November 1993), her parents and sister Alice Causer. Winnie is survived by her family in Australia, sister-in-law (Irene Kaub), brother-in-law (Darwin Kingman) and a host of friends and relatives. During Winnie's life she was always surrounded by animals. They had many dogs and cats along with raccoons and possums, which could always find a meal outside their home. The hardest part for Winnie's move to the assisted living facility was that she could not take her cats with her.

Memorial services are planned for Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, 2PM, Duggan's Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma, CA. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity, your local animal shelter in honor of Winnie's love for animals, or the Jack London Foundation, which was the love of Winnie and Russ.

READ: WINNIE KINGMAN: THE FINAL CHAPTER (PDF file)