Virginia Winspur Mackro

Active Monroe Resident

Virginia Winspur Mackro, 92, of Newtown, and previously a Monroe resident for 73 years, beloved widow of August Mackro, died February 8 at Ashlar of Newtown. Mrs Mackro was born October 30, 1914, in Bridgeport and was the daughter of Alfred and Ellen (Magurie) Winspur.

Survivors include her beloved children, a daughter, Shelia Kolesar of Monroe, a longtime teacher in the Newtown school system; and a son, Jay Mackro of California; two cherished granddaughters, Sarah Kolesar of Maryland and Emily Kolesar of Monroe; sister-in-law, Lois Winspur of Newtown; nieces, Joan Marr and Nancy Lizak,  both of Monroe; and nephews, Sherman Corning and Matthew Winspur, both of Florida, and Phillip Corning of Monroe. She was predeceased by four brothers, Matthew, Alfred, David, and Donald Winspur; and three sisters, Grace Corning, Alice McCarthy, and Catherine Lewis.

Mrs Mackro lived in Westport until 1926 when her family moved to Monroe. She attended Central High School in Bridgeport and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Bridgeport.

During World War II, Mrs Mackro was employed at Remington Arms. An avid sportswoman throughout her life, she belonging to the Sterling House Fencing Club in Stratford in the 1940s, the Newtown Country Club in the 1950s, and Bronson Country Club in the 1960s through 1980s.

Mrs Mackro taught fourth and fifth grades at the Stepney Elementary School from 1964 to 1975 and was instrumental in developing the nature trails at the Stepney and Chalk Hill Schools. After retiring from teaching, she traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She was active in the Monroe Fields and Woods and the Connecticut Retired Teachers Associations.

Mrs Mackro had been a member of the Monroe chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary for more than 60 years.

Funeral services were held February 13 in the Spadaccino Community Funeral Home, Monroe, with Father Pavla officiating. Interment followed in Stepney Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Monroe Historical Society, PO Box 212, Monroe CT 06468.

The Newtown Beev     February 16, 2007