Barbra Winogene N. McIntyre

Barbra Winogene “Jean” N. McIntyre passed away peacefully under hospice care on April 27. Her husband of 69 1/2 years and son were at her side.

Winogene was born on May 9, 1921 in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was the sixth of six children.

She became a talented pianist in high school and went to the University of Minnesota initially to study music, but later changed to the sciences. After two years she transferred to the University of Washington and majored in bacteriology.

It was there that she met her husband, Bruce C. McIntyre from St. John, Wash., and they were married in Seattle on Oct 10, 1943. In 1944 Bruce entered medical school at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Winogene worked in the clinical laboratory at the university hospital as a medical technologist. She then went to night school at Georgetown and earned a master’s in biochemistry. When Bruce earned his MD, they were the first couple to graduate together at Georgetown for advanced degrees.

While Bruce did his internship and residency at D.C. General Hospital, Winogene taught at the College Park campus of the University of Maryland. They returned to St. John, Wash., to pay off their college debt and take over his father’s medical practice. Winogene worked as a medical technologist, X-ray technician and office manager, and established a “walking blood bank” in the small eastern Washington community.

After 11 years of practice, Winogene’s brother convinced them to try skiing. After skiing Sun Valley they were encouraged to try Whitefish, and also look into moving there as the town needed another doctor. One trip was all they needed and they decided to move in January 1959 after the birth of their son, Curt.

After practicing in a clinic for three years that serviced both Whitefish and Eureka, Bruce and Winogene took out a mortgage and began a clinic of their own, The Whitefish Clinic, which became one of the forerunners of Glacier Peak Medical years later.

They got the aviation bug and both became light aircraft pilots, a passion they enjoyed for many years. In 1978 they sold their home in Whitefish and moved to Lakeside. They lived there part time and in Galen where Bruce took on a position treating the medical care for the state mental hospital and sanitarium.

Winogene revived a chapter of Friendship Force International in the Flathead Valley. Friendship Forces builds worldwide friendships by both hosting foreigners with similar interests, hobbies, professions, etc. in one’s home, and traveling internationally to become friends and learn about the cultures of others. This sent them off on adventures around the world, and traveling became a wonderful retirement activity.

Winogene was always involved in a variety of volunteer work. She was the president of the Washington State Medical Technology Association. She was the only person in the Flathead County qualified to train Red Cross First Aid instructors and CPR instructors. She set up the initial courses that later trained primary first responders. She served for more than a decade on the Whitefish Credit Union credit committee. She was very involved with the Whitefish Winter Carnival for many years. Also she served as the chairwoman of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Christ Lutheran Church, as well as a seventh grade confirmation instructor and Bethel Bible instructor.

She was selected as a Kellogg Fellow to participate in a workshop on communication at Montana State University in 1976. She was active in Toastmistress Club and placed second in the state in a speech competition. She was honored by Beta Sigma Phi for outstanding service to the community in 1977, and named that year’s First Lady of Whitefish.

Winogene was a happy intellectual who always encouraged others to lifelong learning. She enjoyed hiking, bridge, flying, skiing, traveling, and being a wife and mother. She had a contagious attitude and child-like curiosity that encouraged, motivated, and inspired all who came into contact with her. She leaves memories of a generous and compassionate life based on Christian principles

She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings. She is survived by her dear husband, Bruce; son, Curt; grandson, Ryker; granddaughter, Tori, and their mother, Janet; sister, Charlotte; numerous nieces and nephews and worldwide friends — especially those in Whitefish, Kalispell and Buffalo Hills Terrace.

The family is grateful to the loving compassion she has received from the staff and her friends at Buffalo Hills Terrace and KRMC.

A memorial service is scheduled for May 9 at 3 p.m. at Northridge Lutheran in Kalispell. Reception to follow.

In lieu of the flowers, the family asks that you consider an online donation to the American Red Cross or The Whitefish Community Foundation.