Kathleen Kelly Winters 11/01/1920 to 06/26/2024 ~ “Nevada lost one of its former leading ladies”

Nevada lost one of its former leading ladies.

Kathleen Kelly Winters died June 26, 2024 at the age of 103. The wife of the late JohnD Winters, of Carson City and Dayton, Mrs. Winters was a prominent western Nevada homemaker and community leader. Born November 1, 1920, in Tacoma, Washington, Mrs. Winters was the daughter of Ruth and R. Lester Kelly, both former Carson City residents. Her parents preceded her in death. She attended the University of Washington before moving to Carson City in 1941. She was named Nevada Day Grand Marshal in October 2015 and celebrated the 150^th Nevada Birthday. At the time she commented, “This is such a tremendous honor.” Along with her late husband, they were the only two Nevada husband and wife team named to the honorary position. Her husband was Grand Marshal in 1995. In December 2015 the Lyon County Board of Commissioners proclaimed December 3^rd as Kay Winters Day. In November of 2017 she was honored by the Historical Society of Dayton Valley for her 97^th birthday and her lifetime achievement in Dayton.

An involved citizen, Kathleen helped establish the Carson City Desert Garden Club in the 1950’s and also helped establish the Carson Tahoe Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. She served both organizations as president and at the time of her death, the lone surviving founding member of both groups. Long active in youth activities, she was a 4-H leader for 14 years and served on the Northern Nevada Girl Scout Council, was a Boy Scout leader and helped establish the Carson City Youth Ski Program, The Carson Comets, in the early 1950’s. Mrs. Winters served on the Nevada Silver Centennial in Virginia City in 1959.

With her late husband JohnD, they moved to their Dayton ranch in 1965 from Carson City and she became active in the Dayton community as well. They lived in Carson City for 24 years and in Dayton 59 years. A 12-year member of the Lyon County Park and Recreation Committee, Kathleen was the chairwoman of the Lyon County Bicentennial Committee from 1972 to 1976. She was instrumental in helping establish Dayton Parks, one being the Dayton State Park and was a long-time Dayton community activist. She served twice as Grand Marshal of Dayton Valley Days.

The University of Nevada named her a Distinguished Nevadan in 1989 after having served on the advisory board for the College of Arts and Science for ten years. She was an emeritus member of the board. Previously she was awarded the President’s Medal in 1987. She is listed in the Nevada Women’s Legacy, a statewide publication of prominent Nevada women.

Mrs. Winters was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, JohnD N. Winters, a fourth generation Nevadan. She is survived by her daughters Marianne Winters, Vernalee Winters Correa, Sheila Winters Ward, and Kathleen Pozzi Gerber, all of Carson City and son Bruce Pozzi of Anchorage Alaska; 13 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 7 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Brown of Bellevue, Washington. Her brother Robert Kelly of Newport News, Virginia died in 2021.

Arrangements are being handled by FitzHenry’s Funeral Home. There will be no public services at Mrs. Winters’ request. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations may be made to the Dayton Historical Society or the Carson & Colorado Railroad Depot, PO Box 485, Dayton, NV 89403; the JohnD Winters Family Scholarship Endowment, University of Nevada Reno Foundation, 1664 N. Virginia St., Morrill Hall, Reno, Nevada, 89557; or a charity of your choice.