Kristine Winder Obituary-Death News; In Loving Memory Of Kristine Winder
Kristine Winder, the Canadian model celebrated for her appearance as Playboy’s Miss October 1977, died on March 14, 2011, at the age of 55, following a battle with breast cancer.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 15, 1955, Kristine grew up in a region known for its natural beauty a fitting backdrop for someone whose own grace and poise would one day be admired around the world.
Winder’s modeling career reached its peak when she was selected as Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month in October 1977. Her centerfold, titled “Invitation to the Dance,” was photographed by Mario Casilli and featured Kristine in a ballet studio, a setting that conveyed both elegance and strength.
The imagery not only highlighted her physical beauty but also suggested a deeper artistic sensibility that set her apart from many of her contemporaries. The shoot remains one of the more tastefully stylized pictorials in the magazine’s history, remembered for its soft tones and sense of movement.
Despite the allure of fame and recognition, Kristine Winder was a deeply private person. She chose to use a pseudonym for her Playboy appearance, hoping to protect her family and maintain a clear boundary between her professional and personal life. In an era before social media and instant global recognition, this was a bold and unusual decision one that spoke volumes about her values and priorities.
Unfortunately, her efforts at privacy had unforeseen consequences. Reports indicate that some families in Vancouver who shared the surname “Winder” received unwanted attention in the wake of Kristine’s appearance, causing discomfort and confusion within her hometown community.
Throughout her brief but impactful career, Kristine was known for more than her outer beauty. Colleagues and photographers spoke of her professionalism, her kindness on set, and her thoughtfulness.
She had a quiet strength and a sincere humility that won the admiration of those she worked with. Unlike many who sought the spotlight, Kristine’s relationship to fame seemed reluctant, even distant underscoring the fact that modeling, for her, was a role she played rather than an identity she embraced.
Her death in 2011 was a somber moment for fans and those in the modeling community who remembered her. Breast cancer had claimed the life of someone who had once seemed so full of youthful vitality, and her passing was noted in the June 2011 issue of Playboy. Though she had largely stepped away from public life in her later years, her influence endured.
Kristine Winder is remembered today not only as a striking figure in the world of 1970s modeling but also as a woman of grace, depth, and personal conviction. Her legacy continues to resonate with admirers who value not just beauty, but the quiet dignity with which she lived her life.
