Kathleen Marie (McKenna) Winter, a painter, devout Catholic, and spiritual support for many, died peacefully on June 9, 2026 at age 91 with family by her side.
Kathy was born April 21, 1935, in Philadelphia, to Edward and Marie McKenna. While attending West Catholic High School for Girls, she earned a full scholarship to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where she met the love of her life, sculptor Joseph Winter. Kathy and Joe married in 1956 and together they continued to build deep friendships with a close circle of classmates from the Academy all through their life. Joe predeceased her in 2020 after 64 years of marriage.
In 1962, the couple moved to Chestnut Hill upon the glowing recommendations Kathy received of Our Mother of Consolation parish and school, where she was eager to enroll her children. Once the children were in school, she took the train into town to complete her classwork for her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Kathy became an accomplished painter whose work includes multiple commissions: design of the stained glass windows of the chapel at the Shore Memorial Hospital Chapel in Somers Point, NJ; portraits of several Naval Chaplains as well as T. T. Chang, founder of the Chinese Cultural Center in Philadelphia; painting the statue of St. Gianna Beretta Molla at her Shrine in Warminster, PA; and the restoration of many treasured works of art, including the statue of St. Gabriel that was rescued from the Katrina flood waters. In addition, she held exhibitions of her paintings at the Woodmere Art Gallery, Conshohocken Art League, and the Knickerbocher Art Exhibition in NYC, among others.
In her late 80’s she wrote and published a children’s book, based on a sculpture that her husband, Joe, created for Delancy St. Park in Philadelphia, later renamed Three Bears Park after his iconic sculpture. The book, “How the Bears Got to the Park”, illustrated by Joe, follows the bear family through historical landmarks in Philadelphia, culminating in the bears’ arrival to the park at 319 Delancy St. in Society Hill where Joe’s life-sized sculpture of 3 bears has been enjoyed by children since its installation in 1966.
For 60+ years, Kathy was a devoted member of Our Mother of Consolation parish, where she also taught for several years. In addition to her art, which she continued until shortly before her death, she enjoyed playing the piano, and spending time with her family. At the age of 89, she relocated to the Pittsburgh area with her eldest daughter and husband, where she thoroughly enjoyed playing with and caring for her great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Kathleen (Henry), Joseph (Katherine), and Genienne (Tony), as well as 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by her many friends and family who enjoyed her friendship, spiritual support, listening ear, humor, deep caring, generosity, and undaunted optimism. Her favorite saying, handed down by her father, was, “God can do anything!” In the words of a dear friend, “She was a grand lady.”
Well done, my good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:23)
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 11 AM at Our Mother of Consolation Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy Winter’s name to Our Mother of Consolation Church & School.
An online obituary and photos are available on Corl Funeral Chapel’s website.
