Nana Jo Winter

Nana Joretta Deep Warman Winter, affectionately known throughout her life as “Nana Jo,” passed away on September 8, 2026, in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Born January 21, 1941, she was the only child of Joseph “Red” Deep and Marjorie Scarford Deep.

A graduate of Morgantown High School who later attended West Virginia University, Nana Jo began her career with Westinghouse in the 1960s and worked her way up to district warehouse manager of its Washington, Pennsylvania, facility. She remained with the company through its transition to Philips Lighting, retiring in 1996.

Nana Jo’s first husband, Richard Warman, passed away during the first year of their marriage, leaving her a young widow. Although Nana Jo had no children of her own, she had many children of her heart and shared an especially close relationship with her niece and nephews, Wendy Winter Parks, Bruce Winter, and the late Craig Winter. Nieces and nephews, neighborhood children, and the children of friends all found a special place in her life and in her heart.

Curious and intelligent, Nana Jo had a remarkable variety of interests. She was an avid stamp collector and genealogist, spending countless hours with cousins Carol Hoffman and Anna Schein researching her mother’s family and compiling extensive genealogies of the Winter and Monroe families.

She also had a keen understanding of the stock market and enjoyed many conversations about it with her cousin Michael Deeb.

Nana Jo was funny and quick-witted, with a practical, inventive mind and a remarkable ability to see a problem and devise her own solution, often using whatever happened to be at hand. She and her late brother-in-law, Jerry Winter, had a long-running tradition of exchanging increasingly outrageous gag birthday cards—some far too outrageous to mention here.

She loved classical and piano music, a love inherited from her mother, Marjorie, an accomplished pianist. Nana Jo played as well, though she readily admitted she never quite matched her mother’s talent. She was especially proud of her nephew Jarrod’s musical talents.

An avid bird watcher and fisherman, Nana Jo loved the outdoors and had an eye for its beauty. One spring, traveling a country road through the West Virginia hills, she looked toward the mountaintops where the dogwoods were blooming and remarked that they looked like splatters of paint an artist had touched onto the hills with his brush.

Nana Jo loved to travel, with a trip to Alaska among her favorite adventures. She made many trips with her friend Peg to New York City to see Broadway shows, also spending time with her sister-in-law Karen and family on Long Island during her travels there. She traveled to Las Vegas for Bruce and Cathy’s wedding and twice made extended visits to Maine with Wendy to spend time with Bruce and Craig. Wisconsin also held a special place in her heart, and for many years summers meant heading “up north” to a cabin where she enjoyed the outdoors and welcomed family and friends, including her sister-in-law, Debbie Ott, and family.

From 2009 to 2016, Nana Jo lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she explored her new surroundings, made many friends, and enjoyed getting dressed up and going dancing with Cassandra, Harold, and Jeanie. She also pursued her love of jewelry making, often going yard saleing with Jennie in search of old and vintage jewelry she could transform into beautiful, wearable pieces.

Christmas showed the size of Nana Jo’s generous heart. Her gifts were so elaborate and beautifully wrapped they were almost too pretty to open, and her Christmas table blended traditional American holiday foods with dishes from the Syrian and German heritage she grew up with, including homemade baklava and her kibbeh, which her family remembers as simply the best.

A lifelong dog lover, Nana Jo, shared her home and heart over the years with many beloved companions, including Pojo, Lady, Chumley, and Little Bit.

Nana Jo was fortunate to have the friendship and care of Mary Ann Scritchfield during the last several years of her life. Mary Ann continued visiting after Nana Jo entered the nursing home, and her kindness and care were greatly appreciated.

In addition to those mentioned throughout her story, Nana Jo leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cherished in-laws in the Warman and Winter families, along with many dear friends.

Nana Jo had a remarkable way of making friends wherever life took her. Her family is especially grateful to the staff at Sundale for the kindness, affection, and wonderful care they gave her. She was genuinely loved by those who cared for her there. They are also deeply grateful to Morgantown Hospice for the compassion and comfort provided during her final days.

To know Nana Jo was very often to love her, and the many lives she touched are richer for having known her.

A graveside committal service will be held at Lawnwood Cemetery, Callen Ave., Morgantown, on Saturday, September 19th at 11:00 AM.  Send condolences online to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.