The years of Sister Kathleen’s service are a testament to her firm belief in the value of Catholic education.

Sister Kathleen Sullivan, SC

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