Kathleen Ellen Winter

Kathleen Ellen Winter

August 7, 1942 – April 27, 2025

Kathleen Ellen Winter passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 27, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, joy, and resilience. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Kathleen and William Busch, Kathleen grew up with three sisters, Trudy, Helena and Dorothy. At the age of five, she and her family embarked on a cross-country journey that brought them to Oregon, where she would build a life full of warmth and connection.

Kathleen attended Cleveland High School before earning her associate degree in Business Management/Supervisory Development from Portland Community College. She dedicated three decades at Tektronix, and which then became Xerox as an accountant. Beyond her professional life, she found community and friendship as a member of the Red Hat Society and the Bergfreunde Ski Club, traveling around the world, sharing laughter and companionship with 100 of her closest friends.

She was a silly, kind, and strong-willed grandma—a woman whose presence brightened every room she entered. But her greatest love was Christmas with her family. She owned over 1000 ornaments and decorations and 95% of them were Santas. She was well known for her meticulously detailed miniature displays of Santa’s workshop and Mrs. Claus’s kitchen.

Kathleen is survived by her beloved children Angela, Blane and Lance, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Though she has left this world, her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her legacy is one of laughter, love, strength and the courage to dance through life, no matter the tune.

A burial service will be held on May 2nd at 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Portland, followed by a celebration of life to honor Kathleen’s memory.

She will be deeply missed but we know that she is in heaven with the Lord, her sister’s and her parents. The family is back together again!