Aila Boyd
The Craig County Public Library is mourning the loss of longtime volunteer and Friends of the Library member Winnie Walter, who was remembered for her dedication to literacy, education and community service.
In a social media post, the library described Walter as a beloved volunteer whose “friendly smile, kind heart, dedication, and contagious laugh will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”
Walter, along with her husband, Martin Walter, became active members of the library’s Friends of the Library organization and regularly participated in library events and fundraisers.
“Winnie and Martin both quickly became pillars of our Friends of the Library group and gained the respect and affection of our staff, board, patrons, FOL, and other volunteers,” the library said in the post.
According to the library, Walter spent 43 years working in education and literacy as a teacher in Germany before becoming involved with the Craig County Public Library.
The library said its board members, staff and volunteers viewed one another as family, united by a shared commitment to literacy and education.
To honor Walter’s memory, the library encouraged residents to participate in a countywide day of reading and invited families to share photos using the hashtag #readingforWinnie.
“We will continue to spread the joy of learning and love of literacy, honoring Mrs. Winnie’s passion,” the post stated.
Joanna Ryan, Craig County Public Library board president and county registrar, also remembered Walter’s service as an election worker.
“Winnie was a dedicated election worker,” Ryan said in a statement. “Her welcoming personality made voters and co-workers feel comfortable and at ease. Her dedication to election integrity was commendable and she was always there to lend a hand or offer support.”
Ryan said Walter had been scheduled to work the April 21 election and was “greatly missed.”
“We will continue to miss her,” Ryan said.