The years of Sister Kathleen’s service are a testament to her firm belief in the value of Catholic education.
Sister Kathleen Theresa Sullivan (Sister Kathleen Dolores) was born September 5, 1937, in the Bronx, New York; she was one of three children of John and Kathleen O’Shea Sullivan, a twin of her sister, Mary Ann, and a brother, John. Kathleen attended Incarnation Elementary and Blessed Sacrament High School, both in Manhattan, and entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1955.
Sister Kathleen received a BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MS in Education from Fordham University and a Sixth Year Certificate in Supervision and Administration from the College of Staten Island. She was also awarded New York State Permanent Certification for School District Administrator, School Administrator and Supervisor and Grades N–6 Administration and Supervision.
Sister Kathleen committed fifty-two years of active ministry as an elementary school educator in responsibilities of teacher, principal, district superintendent and Archdiocesan superintendent. She was an elementary grade teacher at Epiphany in Manhattan, Saint John the Baptist in Brooklyn, and Saint Peter in Staten Island. She then served as Principal of Saint Peter Elementary in Staten Island for ten years. She next accepted the appointment of the Archdiocese of New York to be the District Superintendent for the elementary schools of Staten Island.
After ten years as District Superintendent, Sister Kathleen was asked to assume responsibility as the Associate Superintendent for Professional Recruitment for all archdiocesan schools in its Elementary Division. After twenty-one years serving in these capacities, Sister Kathleen entered a sabbatical program, and then returned to elementary education as the Curriculum Director at Saint Mark the Evangelist School in Manhattan.
Sister Kathleen retired in 2010 and resided at Ely Hall at Mount Saint Vincent. Recently she moved to Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry, where she died on July 30, 2021, in the sixty-sixth year of commitment as a Sister of Charity of New York.
The years of Sister Kathleen’s service are a testament to her firm belief in the value of Catholic education. Numerous awards and invitations as keynote speaker testify that many witnessed her complete dedication and effective leadership. In 1989, she was among recipients of the Women of Achievement Award from the Staten Island Advance and, in 1991, she was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame of the College of Staten Island.
When the number of children of Hispanic backgrounds increased in the schools, Sister Kathleen took advantage of the opportunity offered by the Archdiocese of New York to study Spanish in Puerto Rico. She wanted the ability to continue to relate with the children’s parents.
Sister Kathleen, you met the grace of these last months of your life with a sincere and simple faith in a loving God. You were at peace knowing you were in God’s hands. We rejoice as you now enter the fullness of the mystery of God’s plan of salvation for us (Ephesians 1:9). Rest now in God’s peace.
Eulogy by John Sullivan, August 5, 2021
Date of Death
July 30, 2021
Age
83
Wake
Thursday, August 5, 2021
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Flynn Memorial Home
1652 Central Park Avenue
Yonkers, New York 10710
Streaming begins at 8:30 a.m: https://venue.streamspot.com/d286a8ab
Funeral
Thursday, August 5, 2021
9:45 a.m.
St. Margaret of Cortona
6000 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, New York 10471
Streaming begins at 9:45 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
Ascension Cemetery
Monsey, New York
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- Epiphany, Manhattan
1958–61, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. Peter Elementary, Staten Island
1965–70, Teacher
1970–80, Principal - District Superintendent, Elementary Division, Staten Island
1980–90 - Associate Superintendent for Professional Recruitment, Elementary
1990–2001 - St. Mark the Evangelist, Manhattan
2002–10, Curriculum Director
Diocese of Brooklyn
- St. John the Baptist, Brooklyn
1961–65, Teacher, Gr. 1
Thank you for your service. Rip
So sorry to hear this news, I met Sister Kathleen when I worked at the Archdiocese
of New York, Dept. of Education. Rest in peace, Sister. It was a pleasure to have known you.
Thank you, Sister Kathleen, for your friendship and shining example. To Mary Ann and all the family, please accept my heartfelt condolences.
With fond memories of our dear classmate,
Carol Switzer Viceconte – Blessed Sacrament Class of 1955.
Dear Sister Kathleen,
You will be missed by all those who ever knew you. It was truly a joy knowing you. You and Mary Anne are in my thoughts and prayers. May you rest in peace.
Fondly,
Florrie Reilly Krupa
1955 Classmate from Blessed Sacrament High School
Mary Ann, my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Treasure your memories and find comfort knowing that
Kathleen is at peace.
Mary Ann, may God grant you and your family His peace. All of you will be remembered in my prayers. Kathleen will be missed by all. Several years ago I had a wonderful surprise when I met Kathleen on a trip to Israel. I have many fond memories from that trip.
Sister Kathleen,
You lived a beautiful dedicated your life to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and Mary. A life dedicated to charity, love, and peace. May you rest in peace. Peace be with your Sisters of Charity and family. Thank you for all the love and prayers and peace.
Peace be with you.
Dear Kathleen,
One of the most wonderful experiences of my life was getting to know you and Mary Ann. I will miss you.. You are
both in my prayers.
Love always,
Kathleen Reilly Milhaven Class of ’55
I had the pleasure and privilege of living and teaching with Kathleen at Epiphany Convent in 1960. Kathleen and Margaret Mary Murphy, who was a part of the Community at that time, were wonderful role models for a fledging Sister on her first mission — filled with compassion, joy and generosity, true Sisters of Charity.
May Kathleen now rest in peace and in the light of the Lord.
I am saddened by the news of Sr. Kathleen’s passing, and I send my condolences to Mary Ann, the Sullivan family and the Sisters. of Charity. May Kathleen rest in peace and joy, forever. Amen.
Mary Ann,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kathleen contributed so much to many.
Now it is time for her to be at peace.
Sr. Kathleen was my first grade teacher at St Peter’s in Staten Island. She loved that school and angled for every advantage which could be gained by the students from the NYC DOE. May she rest in peace after her long years on earth dedicated to Catholic education.