Kathryn Ann Winn

Kathryn Ann Towns Winn was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota where her father was on assignment with the United States Forest Service. Her parents, Violet (Vi) Robinson Towns and William (Bill) Lionel Towns, were moving frequently in their service to our country’s environment. His efforts to reverse dust bowl conditions and restore wildlife habitat would later shape Kathryn’s deep appreciation for nature. During this period, her young family traveled with the bare essentials which meant Kathryn spent her first months sleeping in a dresser drawer.

The family settled in Decatur, Georgia before Kathryn began school. She walked to school from elementary through Decatur Girls High School. Kathryn’s service to others began at a very young age. At the age of 8, she would walk to the nearby Scottish Rites Convalescent Home for Children to read to the very young patients.

While attending Agnes Scott, Kathryn’s brother, Don, went to Georgia Institute of Technology. Don introduced Kathryn to a promising young engineer named Bill Winn. They were married 18 months later in Atlanta, September 9, 1956.

Kathryn and Bill’s young marriage was marked by a number of moves for Bill’s career and military service as well as a year in Columbus, Arkansas managing the 1300-acre family cattle ranch. Kathryn’s love of gardening was apparent in all of the homes along their married journey. She planted trees and nurtured them which we enjoy today. Yearly vegetable gardens fed the family and strengthened neighborhood bonds as they shared seedlings and produce and gardened together.

Kathryn’s professional career included administrative work for Bill’s business and working in the claims department at CNA Insurance, but she was most passionate about the work she did in support of her community. At the Family Crisis Center of Denver, she worked with children in crisis comforting them with her care and securing donations for their basic needs. In 2005 Kathryn began volunteering at the Baby Haven, a therapeutic early childcare center for drug exposed infants. At the Baby Haven, Kathryn recognized basic needs that the mothers and children were lacking. She began to ask neighbors and friends and family to help meet those needs. Kathryn’s love for the children and her unconditional support of their mothers was the spark which led to the creation of a supporting nonprofit organization. Following Kathryn’s lead, Bill set up the 501c3 nonprofit called Friends of the Haven. Their efforts culminated in the building of a beautiful new childcare facility for the babies and children in the program. Throughout the 14 years of advocating for the program, Kathryn was always looking after the babies. They greeted her with a smile when she arrived for her shift. She sat on the floor with them, talked to them and encouraged their physical and emotional development.

Kathryn and Bill’s children remember fondly the weekly ski trips and hikes from their tiny cabin in Summit County. Other adventures included eight multi-day cycling trips throughout the world. Kathryn even joined Bill on one of the Ride the Rockies Tours cycling through the Rocky Mountains. Love of art led Kathryn and Bill on many trips throughout the western United States and a 1981 cultural exchange in Beijing to share western art there. Their art collection is a source of enjoyment for her family and friends alike.

Kathryn is preceded in death by her parents Violet and Bill Towns and her brother Don Towns.

Kathryn is survived by her devoted and adoring husband of 67 years, Bill Winn; her children, Lisa and her husband Pat Reddington of Centennial, CO, Dub and his wife Lisa Ford of Parker, CO, Donna and her husband Tim Chapin of Charlotte, NC; her grandchildren Erik Hefflinger, Melissa Winn and her husband Dan Cook of Castle Rock, CO, Caitlin Chapin and her husband Sami Shad of Freemont, CA, Emily Chapin and her husband Alex Loyal of Charlotte, NC, Alyssa Chapin of Columbia, SC and her greatgrandson Hasan Chapin Shad of Freemont, CA; her brother Roxie Towns and his wife Jane of Winston Salem, NC; and her life-long friend Theresa Parkins.

A Memorial Reception will be held at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, CO, in their Heartlight Center. The gathering will begin at 1:00pm, on January 12, 2024. Private interment at Rocky Mountain Memorial Park., Parker Rd.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts can be made to Mile High United Way in honor of Kathryn Winn to support women and children in recovery from addictions. Mile High United Way 711 Park Avenue West Denver, CO 80205. Online donations may be made by following: www.coloradogives.org/donate/MileHighUnitedWay