Bess Winters

Heaven has gained another angel!

Bess Winters was born Bess Poulos in Worcester, MA on July 7, 1937.  Her parents, Louis and Elizabeth, settled here from Greece. She was the eldest of 3 daughters (Bess, Mary and Diane).

Bess was 19 when she moved to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After 3 years, she returned home to Rockford and performed on stage in several plays at the Wagon Wheel in Rockton, IL. She then moved to Greece to continue her ambitions, where she lived with extended family and worked as the personal assistant to the Greek film star, Aliki Vougiouklaki.

She returned home after a year and half and met George Winters, whom she would marry and have two children, Angela and George III. Bess and George were well known as the owners of a successful restaurant, Ann’s Bavariahaus in Libertyville, IL, for 13 years before retiring in 2005. In 2011 she moved to Santa Monica, CA, to enjoy the beautiful beaches, sunshine and spending quality time with her son and oldest grandson, Zack.

On the night of June 21, 2021, Bess passed away quietly and comfortably in her sleep with her son holding her hand. She is survived by her son, George III and daughter, Angela (Gregg) Stasiak; sister Diane Scoma; and grandsons, Zachary and Dylan. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her sister Mary; and both of her parents.

Friends & family are invited to say a final goodbye to Bess at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake on Saturday, July 24 from 11 AM until  1 PM.  A service will begin at noon.