Megan E. “Winter Leigh” Alford
Megan Elizabeth “Winter Leigh” Alford passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Winter was born on October 6, 1997, in Dansville to Roy John and Colleen (Strong) Cole. She graduated high school in St. Augustine, Florida—a place that suited her adventurous spirit—and continued her education at Middlesex Community College in New Jersey, Southern New Hampshire University, and most recently, RIT in Rochester. While her academic path took a few scenic detours, that was very much her style: she believed life was something to explore, not rush through.
Winter is predeceased by her father, Roy John Alford; her grandparents: Roy and Louise Alford, Sally and Greg Ringelberg, Lynn Strong and Terry E. Cole; her uncle, Robert “Bob,” and aunt, Sue Ellen; her cousin, Ryan Strong; her loyal German Shepherds, Axel and Panzer; and her cat, Schumi—who we are certain wasted no time finding her again.
She is survived by her mother, Colleen (Chris) Cole; her sisters, Makalya and Madison Alford; along with several aunts, uncles, and many cousins who will miss her deeply and often.
Winter had always carried a quiet, unspoken bond with animals—as if they recognized something in her that the rest of the world sometimes overlooked. She moved gently through life, the kind of person who noticed everything: the nervous stray at the side of the road, the subtle shift in someone’s voice, the feeling behind words left unsaid. Being an empath wasn’t something she worked at; it simply was who she was. She cared instinctively and fiercely, often putting others first—whether they had two legs or four.
She had a gift for showing up at just the right time. If you needed a friend, somehow Winter would find you. And once she did, you were hers for life. Conversations with her felt easy and safe, often sprinkled with her quick wit and a perfectly timed comment that could make you laugh when you least expected it.
When she wasn’t taking care of others, Winter poured herself into creativity. She loved writing—especially short stories—and had a journalist’s eye for capturing the beauty and oddness of everyday life. She could turn even the smallest moment into something worth remembering. She was also an artist in every sense, expressing herself through chalk, pastels, watercolor, and whatever else she could get her hands on. (If it could make a mark, she’d try it at least once.) Her art, much like her, was full of depth, softness, and quiet bursts of color.
Winter was also a traveler—though “traveler” might be too formal a word. She was more of a wanderer, a spontaneous adventurer who could turn a simple trip into a story. She moved through states the way she moved through life: open, curious, and ready to find meaning (or at least a good memory) wherever she landed.
She was witty and wise beyond her years, often both in the same sentence. She could make you think, make you laugh, and occasionally make you question your life choices—all with a single look. She carried lightness and depth at once, never taking herself too seriously, but always taking others to heart.
Winter didn’t just pass through the world—she connected with it. She left people feeling seen, animals feeling safe, and places a little brighter than she found them. The impact she made may have been quiet, but it was lasting.
Friends and family are invited to remember, celebrate, and honor Winter’s life from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Chamberlin-Baird Funeral Home in Dansville. Memories and stories will be shared by family members at 2:00 pm—undoubtedly a mix of both heartfelt and hilarious moments.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in Winter’s name to a charity that supports animals in need, any mental health organization, or the Epilepsy Foundation which supports Epilepsy Awareness at Epilepsy.com.