Catherine Josephine Winter

Ms. Catherine “CJ” Josephine Winter, age 69, a resident of Auburndale, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. Ms. Winter was born January 17, 1957, in Port Jefferson, New York to Theodore Charles & Theresa Catherine (Rathgeber) O’Grady. She moved to Auburndale in June 2009 from Long Island, New York. Catherine began her college career on a full basketball scholarship to Hofstra University on Long Island where she studied psychology. After, she was recruited to play for the Women’s Professional Basketball League on the New York Stars, but suffered a career ending injury before the first professional game. Later, she earned a master’s degree from Dowling College in psychology where she was a straight A student. She was later elected to be part of the Psi Chi Honor Society. She was a homemaker, a Sunday school teacher, a care giver to many children and a member of the Redemption Church in Lakeland. Catherine enjoyed playing board games, playing cards, going to the beach, watching crime shows and action movies, political news, but most of all loved spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her paternal & maternal grandparents and older brother – Craig O’Grady. Catherine is survived by her loving & devoted family, 2 daughters – Kalene (Mark) Stephens & Kelsey (Nate) Romberger both of Auburndale, Florida; parents – Ted & Terry O’Grady of Orlando, Florida; brother – Glen (Jane) O’Grady of Orlando, Florida; sister – Colleen (Jim) Cabey of Carlsbad, California; 4 grandchildren – Austen, Julian, Levi & Tessa. A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held 2pm Saturday, April 18th at Redemption Church, 145 East Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, Florida.