Meredith Windship Morrison

Meredith Winship Morrison, passed away December 5, 2021, at her home in Yuba City, CA. Within days of her birth to Edwin and Marie Winship, on July 9, 1921, she was given the nickname "Mitzi" and was called by that name for the next 100 years. She was very proud to be a fourth generation Sutter County native, as her great-grandfather, I.A. Winship, rode horse back all the way from Cambridge, MA, to Sutter County in 1849. Driving by Winship Field at Yuba City High School, or pointing towards the road to the "village" of Winship, always made her smile. Mitzi loved books and numbers, while at Lincoln Elementary school and so enjoyed learning, that she graduated as Valedictorian at Yuba City High School, and Cum Laude at Chico State College. Growing up on a farm south of Yuba City, with her brother Dick, and sister Marilyn, taught Mitzi the love of growing things and the beauty of the land. About a half mile away from her home was another farm that Arch and Vivian Morrison lived in, with their son Gayle Morrison, who was born just two weeks before Mitzi was born. Gayle and Mitzi were pushed in the same baby buggy together, and both attended grammar school, and high school together for all 12 years. It took a while to go from friends to dating (18 years!), but by the end of their senior year, Gayle was able to take Mitzi to the Senior Prom. Dating long distance during their college years did not slow down these young lovers, and as she said for decades; it "only made things more special". World War II came, and led to serious discussion of their future together; but their fate was sealed, when Mitzi said "I will wait for you to come home to me." The Depression and the War years were tough times, but Mitzi had an endearing ability to find joy in everything she did. She delved into her studies at school, and spent her time at home reading books, and cooking delicious meals with home grown vegetables. Even a simple walk through nature's beauty filled her days with joy. But her favorite moments from this time, were undoubtedly spent reading letters from her Gayle, and writing her own letters in return. Many months after Gayle had left for pilot training, Mitzi was surprised by a quick 2 day visit from Gayle which led to a proposal of marriage, and the continued promise of waiting for Gayle's safe return. The large collection of letters, from this time, also included ones written while Gayle was flying over 50 missions as a pilot of a B-24 bomber in the Pacific, but were unfortunately lost in the 1955 flood. After a safe return from the war, Gayle and Mitzi were married in the historical Presbyterian Church at 5th and D Street in Marysville, on May 13, 1945, (When the church was torn down, Gayle and Mitzi helped build the new Presbyterian Church in East Marysville. They also worked for 11 years to build St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Yuba City, and were active there over the next 50 years as Elders, and leaders of the funding for the new annex). Their reception was held at the old family home at 774 Winship Road in Yuba City, CA, (remember, Mitzi is proud of her Winship heritage, and the home is still there). Her wedding day was as beautiful and perfect as she had always dreamed it would be. Many people have seen the photo of her in the white satin dress, with buttons down the back, and her handsome uniformed Captain that was on the front page of the Appeal Democrat. Their honeymoon was spent in Truckee, and at Lake Tahoe, taking walks, fishing, and planning their life together. It was a busy next few years for the newlyweds. Mitzi started teaching 2nd grade at Bridge Street Grammar school, while Gayle started a concentration yard for air drying lumber, by the Yuba City fairgrounds. Living off of the money Mitzi was paid for teaching, they saved up enough money from lumber sales to buy an old planer, and started Yuba City Planing Mill and Concentration Yard (what a mouth full!). This was a big step for the business and timing was perfect to supplement the booming housing market. The "Greatest Generation" was starting the baby boom, and Mitzi was not going to miss out on starting her family. Ric Morrison (Kathy) was born on February 28, 1947, the same year that Yuba City Planing Mill was moved to Sunset Siding (a railroad spur for loading fruit near Live Oak). With her family started, and the new business growing, Mitzi made the decision to quit teaching, and focus on raising Ric, and doing the bookkeeping for the company, on the kitchen table. Busy was what Mitzi did best, and always with a smile. Together, these two could accomplish anything. So in 1948, they started Sunset Moulding Company, with the Williams brothers as their partners. The company flourished, and the days were full of keeping a home, chasing a baby, and more paperwork for the growing business. But this never stopped Mitzi from dressing up, and putting on her face to meet her "Morrie" at the door, with a cocktail in hand, and a hot dinner, ready when he was. Mitzi's dream of family went into second gear, and on May 11, 1949, when Linda Morrison (Larry) was born. A boy and a girl is perfect, but really, really perfect, is building your own home. That dream was fulfilled later that year when they built their first home together on Briar Lane with the help of their friend, Leroy Hilbers. Mitzi's following years were all about family. But she found time for; The Seminar which was a book review club so she could keep learning, Charter member of Inner Wheel (Yuba City's Rotary Club wives group), PEO member of Chapter W.U., a founding member of Peach Tree Country Club; although she never played golf, and of course all things possible at St. Andrew, such as Ice Breakers Mariner's group, being an Elder, and being on the building planning committee. Mitzi's love of farm life, and Gayle's drive to provide for his family, lead them into buying several different orchards, totaling 240 acres in Sutter County, and farming them on the weekends, and at night. She also found time during the summers to be up at Lake Tahoe, knowing that here was where her beloved Morrie could relax, if only for a day or two. Mitzi loved that she and Gayle were a team, in both work and play. Just when things were smoothing out, a surprise came along. John Morrison (Trish) was born November 2, 1956, and Gayle, Ric, Linda, and somehow John, gave her a special engraved watch that she adored and wore for the next 65 years. In the late 50's, a piece of property became available that was perfect for a new home. Orchard land, that was next to both of their childhood homes. The Walton property was purchased and their dream home was planned, and re-planned on the back of envelopes and scrap paper until it became a reality in 1962. This home was part of her family, and she did everything to keep it warm and comfortable for family and friends. By day, Mitzi could be found in the orchards irrigating and running picking crews, and by night, she would be dressed to the nines, entertaining customers or politicians, while Gayle BBQ'd steaks. The "Ranch" was the perfect setting for all of this. At her Ranch, she hosted many birthday parties, holidays and dinners with friends (some of whom she had just met that night). Mitzi made sure that children, and future grandchildren would want to come home from college, the Vietnam War, rocky times, tough breakups and sleep over at the Ranch. Her nieces, Shari and Heidi, often joined in for Ranch time, and added so much to her home. When it was time to leave, she would send all on their way, with "care packages" of food, and she would make sure Gayle would top off their tank. But the best were the hugs and kisses she gave you at the door, on the way to the car, getting in your car and just one more through the car window. She was a woman who wrote letters, Christmas cards, birthday cards and thank you cards. Cards for family members and close friends, one could always find at the bottom of the card; I Love you, XOXOXOXOXOXO. Mitzi loved family time. Her children have been given many traditions to remember and pass on to her 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Family picnics were a must, no matter the weather. The Fairy House for hidden treasures. The Cook Book of all things Mitzi. Having a place to go for family fun (For her, the Cabin at Tahoe). Making sure that driving anywhere to look at the beauty of the landscape and pass the time singing songs (Now Jim O'Shea, was cast away…). Mitzi and Gayle loved to travel and went to many countries together (always together). She said the only time Gayle was in another country without her was during the war and we bet she wished she was with him even then. She felt blessed with the many drives she was able to take with Gayle to see Sunset's suppliers and their sawmills all over the west, and of course those days, they just drove to see the beauty of the world. Gayle and Mitzi had a saying, that their marriage was a 50/60 proposition. Someone always has to give an extra 10% to make the marriage work. And yes; they made sure they took turns, even with that. Mitzi and Gayle moved from the Ranch in 2007, and into a condo, but made sure that the Ranch would stay in family hands. With work and persistence, she was able to make that condo into a home, right down to finding wallpaper, carpet, and curtains just like the ones at the Ranch. Mitzi's life changed in 2010 with the passing of her Morrie. Gayle and Mitzi enjoyed celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary and their long, wonderful life together. These two people did everything together, and you would rarely hear one name without the other. It was always Gayle and Mitzi, or Mitzi and Gayle. Just the way she wanted it; together forever. On July 10, 2021, Mitzi celebrated her 100th birthday with family and dear friends (Yep that's what she called them) on the hottest day of the year in Yuba City. It was 114 degrees vs. 100 years. She won the battle that day and asked for a final glass of wine to toast her family and especially to her Morrie; "Here's to us. There's none like us. More's the pity." After 11 years without her Morrie, Mitzi has rejoined him, and once again, her world is perfect. Together forever. XOXOXOXOXO There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 18, 2021, 11:00 am at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City. Although flowers are welcomed, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, or PEO Chapter W.U.