Pacific Grove ~ Winifred J. “Win” Colton, a native of Galesburg, Illinois and a thirty-four year Peninsula resident, passed away after a lengthy illness at her home in Forest Hill Manor, Pacific Grove, Ca. She was a graduate of Galesburg High School and Western Illinois State University at Macomb, IL. Win received her Master’s Degree in Education from New York University and did post-graduate work in Human Relations at George Williams College in Chicago and at several other locations.
Win retired after a long career with the YMCA including serving on the National Staff of the YMCA of the USA in New York City as well as Y’s in Chicago and La Grange, Illinois and Dallas, Texas. One of her greatest achievements was being employed by the National Council of YMCA’s as the first Women and Girls’ Director and later served as a Program Consultant in Youth Leadership Development programs.
As a member of the National YMCA staff, she developed the National YMCA Family Communication Skills Center, training and resource program for YMCA directors, mental and family health workers, churches and schools. This program was based in Menlo Park, California from 1969 – 1981.
Win was always known and admired across the YMCA Movement for her “pioneering spirit.” In 1993, she was inducted into the YMCA Hall of Fame at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Win enjoyed membership in the Presbyterian Church in La Grange, Illinois, attended the Wayfarer Church in Carmel and participated in the Carmel Foundation and the Carmel Residents’ Association. Locally, she attended the Forest Hill Methodist Chapel in Pacific Grove, CA.
Win is survived by her cousins, James Doyle of Muncie, Indiana, William Doyle of Northbrook, Illinois and Mary Strauss of Phoenix, Arizona and numerous friends to include Rose Berberian of Northville, Michigan and Terry O’Neill Nargiz of Tiburon, California.
At Win’s request, no services will be held. Memorial contributions are suggested to the YMCA Campaign for World Service, The National YMCA Fund, Inc., 101 North Wacker Dr., Ste. 7400, Chicago, Illinois, 60606 or the donor’s favorite charity. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Win’s guest book and leave messages for her family.
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