… simplicity, honesty, integrity …so much for so many, quietly.
Sister Mary Kieran (Kathleen) was born March 30, 1938, in Manhattan, one of three children, two girls and a boy of Francis and Annie J. McEneany Mulligan. Kathleen attended Saint Lucy Elementary School and Cathedral High School, both in Manhattan, and worked for one year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1957. Sister Kieran earned a BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and New York State Certification in Elementary Education.
Sister Kieran dedicated her 52 years of active ministry to the education of elementary school students. She taught first grade for ten years at Saint Joseph in Yonkers, followed by 30 years at Saint Mary in Wappingers Falls, where she taught first and third grades. Her last twelve years of active ministry were at Saint Anthony in Yonkers, teaching in the Individualized Academic Program of the school. In 2012, Sister Kieran retired from full-time teaching ministry and joined the retired community at Mount Saint Vincent Convent.
Retirement opened the door for Sister Kieran to continue to offer her gifts in ministry to older sisters. Her days soon became full, accompanying sisters at MSV Convent to medical appointments and visiting sick sisters and those near death at Convent of Mary the Queen in Yonkers. Her keen ability to see and respond to needs, tell a good story sprinkled with a touch of humor, and even break into an old Irish song lightened the days and hearts of those blessed by her visits.
Sister Kieran could always be found in the middle of the sisters’ outreach ministries at Mount Saint Vincent Convent. Her heart and hands were always ready to set up the Christmas bazaar or other sale to support a sponsored ministry or to make sandwiches with Campus Ministry of the College of Mount Saint Vincent for a Midnight Run for the homeless. She assisted sisters with their visits to doctors at the Convent and remained faithful to her last day to make a nightly call to pray with a sister in a nursing home.
A moment’s reflection on Sister Kieran would probably elicit responses such as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, Mary and the rosary; simplicity, honesty, integrity; pride in her Irish heritage; unwavering support of the Mets; so much for so many, quietly.
Sister Kieran, you have been called home by the Good Shepherd of your soul and the Giver of all good gifts. You go forth to a God who is no stranger to you. You have met this God in quiet prayer and in all whom you have blessed with your life. Now you will know God face to face and will dwell in God’s presence forever. Be at peace.
Date of Death
December 29, 2021
Age
83
Wake
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
8–9:00 a.m.
Prayer Service at 8:30 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
Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 9:45 a.m.
St. Margaret of Cortona Church
6000 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
Live Streaming begins at 9:45 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Joseph, Yonkers
1960–70, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. Mary, Wappingers Falls
1970–2000, Teacher, Gr. 3,1 - St. Anthony, Yonkers
2000–12, Teacher
Always a smile and a friendly wink!
Sister Kieran was an amazing teacher and person. She made me feel so at home in 1st grade, while I was scared of school. Rest In Peace Sister Kieran.
So sad to hear about the death of sister Kieran. Remember her visiting our house in Monaghan. My late Mam and Dad (Brian and Frances McEneany McCarron) spoke of her with great fondness. She called dad “the rebel” and always referred to him by that name in all her letters. She is now reunited with them in heaven. May she rest in peace.
She was the BEST. Treated each and every child, three of mine, as if they were her own. May she Rest in Peace and Let Perpetual Light Shine upon Her.
My 1st grade teacher at St Joseph such a beautiful person meant everything to me so compassionate
Her family here in Ireland will miss her lovely cards, letters & phone calls especially her dear cousin Bridie. Rest in peace with all your family in Heaven Sr Mary Kieran & thanks for all your prayers over the years.
Although I had Sr. Maurice as my 1st grade teacher, I somehow knew that Sr. Kieran and Sr. Maurice shared a special bond of friendship, as I seen they use to talk to each other outside the classroom…RIP Sr. Kieran…P.S….I will always cherish the small time that you gave me when we chatted together about old school times down at the MSV Convent.
Beautiful person and soul. Taught my sons at St. Mary’s in Wappingers Falls, NY. Along with her sidekick, Sr. Patricia, our family enjoyed her friendship and sense of humor and fun for many years.
Sr. Kieran’s name is always the first mentioned when my sisters and I reminisce about our wonderful childhood in St. Joseph’s school and St. Joseph’s parish. May she Rest In Peace.
May perpetual light Shine upon her, may she Rest in peace.
I am so sorry for the loss of Sister Kieran. She was one of a kind and was beloved by her fellow teachers, and more importantly, her students. She truly loved them and they knew it. I had the privilege, both as a teacher in grades 6-8 and as principal, to hear the students’ talk about being in Sister’s class, and all the stories, without exception, were funny, positive, and uplifting. Her sayings like, “Your brain is in Spain in the rain” and “When the snow is blue, you can get excited” are legendary. Kids truly believed that Sister had “eyes in the back of her head!” I learned so much from her about what it means to be a Catholic school teacher. She not only taught her students about Jesus and His love for them, but she also showed that love in all that she did and said. Sister Kieran was a woman of God, who truly lived her vocation with love and joy.
Mary, Anne & John Mulligan of Scotland, family of her cousin Richard send their condolences.
We remember meeting Sr. Mary Kieran many years ago at our grandfather John’s house at Corflugh in Ireland.
May she rest in peace.
Our hearts are broken. Her impact on our children went way beyond the classroom. Rest In Peace. Although many will remember you for telling your students, “We are here for the business of learning”, your life lessons to them live on in each and every one.
The heavens are singing an Irish tune for sure.. I was one of many to have had Sr Kieran as my 1st Grade Teacher at St Joseph’s in Yonkers.
She certainly touched my life and my heart and will be greatly be missed.. Rest In Peace my friend.
I will miss our phone conversations, letters and cards. Thank you Kathleen for all your prayers, they helped me a lot. Your loving cousin and friend in Ireland, Anne McEneaney Kelly. Rest in peace.
Sr. Kieran was a very special teacher. She understood her students. She knew when to be stern and when to be warm. My boys were lucky enough to have her as their 3rd grade teacher. She was also a special person. A true down to earth woman of God Rest In Peace!
My third grade teacher at St. Mary’s. What a tough yet kind, caring and gracious cookie! I remember times tables, spelling bees, candy, and lots of hugs! Rest In Peace sweet teacher and give Sister Patricia a big hug from me!
With my children enrolled in St. Mary’s School in Wappingers Falls and as a volunteer at the school, I was so blessed to know Sister Kieran. She was not only a very special teacher, but a very special person.
Sister had nothing but love in her heart and her students experienced this every day. She was by far the favorite teracher at the school. She loved every child that she ever taught. In her classroom, students learned a lot more than just the reading, writing and arithmetic reguired; they learned how to love God and to love each other. I am sure that she is in a lot of prayers this day.
Condolence to the Sisters of Charity, Convent of Mt.St, Vincent on the death of Sr Kieran. We recall her enthusiasm for all things Irish when she came here to visit the place of her ancestors. Poetry ,storytelling and song she enjoyed it all. Danny Boy being her favourite song brought all sing song sessions to a reluctant close. May she rest in peace.
Sr Kieran was my first grade teacher. at St Joseph’s in Yonkers. I was in the very first class she taught. I have fond memories of her. Be at peace Sr Kieran
I worked for over 25 years as Librarian at St. Mary’s School in Wappingers Falls, and I immediately bonded with Sr. Kiernan. She was always fun and a wonderful friend. We had many laughs together, and her devotion to the Lord, her wonderful attitude toward third graders, and her kindness to everyone made her a special co-worker. I know God will reward her for a life well lived.
Lucy DeSantis on January 3,2022
I had two children in St. Mary Wappingers Falls and they both said she was not only a good teacher but very caring
and always had a smile and made you feel good to be in her class.
We pray for her that God will take good care of her for all the good she did for so many people.
Rest in peace Sister Kieran
Sr. Kieran was appreciated at all her stops. Sr. Was honored at the 125 the anniversary of St. Mary’s of Wappingers School. .Sadly, it closed later that June.My youngest siblings will remember her kindness and positive direction.
Rest in peace Sr.Kieran.
Love the late “Frances Mc Carron ‘s” family.
I knew Sr. Kieran for only 8 years at the end of her many years endearing herself to the parents and children of St. Mary’s School and parish. Her love of the children was evident in their comfort being around her. I think Sunday in the convent was like being in a concert in Ireland. Rest in peace, Sr. Kieran.
Rest in Peace Sr Kieran. My mam (the late Frances McCarron) loved receiving your cards and letters throughout the years and was thankful for all your prayers. You have joined her now, enjoy the happiness of heaven together.
Sr. Kieran warmed the hearts of everyone; so nice to read the lovely messages from people who were lucky to have her in their lives. Sr. Kieran was a special friend to my late mother, Frances McCarron, many letters and cards written over the years. Rest in peace Sr. Kieran, you will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Sr Kieran’s passing.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
She was a good friend to my late mother and father
Brian and Bridie McEneany late of Monaghan Ireland and Toronto Canada
A life well lived
My deepest sympathy to Sr Kieran’s Community, nephew and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Biney O’Hanrahan, Monagh.an, Ireland
Very sad to hear of the passing of Sr Kieran. I have fond memories of her visiting my late mother and father, Brian and Frances McCarron of Killyvane, Monaghan. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
As school secretary at St. Mary’s School in Wappingers Falls, Sister Kieran could change a mood, inspire a smile and very often left me a prayer or inspiring message on my desk that would make my day. Her passing is deeply felt as we had exchanged Christmas greetings just a short time ago. You continue to inspire me and will be remembered. Thank you and pray for us.
The Sisters of Charity and Sister Kieran’s family thank you all for sharing your memories, thoughts, and kind words. She will be missed by all. God bless you..
Sister Kieran was so special to my entire family during her time as a 3rd Grade teacher at St.Mary’s in Wappingers Falls. She was fun, kind and made everyone feel special.She will be greatly missed. About an hour after we learned of her passing, my mother went to the mailbox and there was a thank you card from Sister Kieran. We will Treasure that last card always. I know she is up in heaven with Sr. Patricia and my Dad.
” Of all the good times that e’re we shared
I leave to you fond memory
And for all the friendship that e’re we had
I ask you to remember me.
And when we sit and stories tell
I’ll be with you and help recall
So fill to me the parting glass
God bless and joy be with you all ”
Rest in peace and in the light of the Lord,
Sister Kieran .
Sr. Kieran was a true mentor as an educator to my son and daughter. We last saw her at the 125th Anniversary of St Mary’s School and remembered our family without hesitation. We have so many fond memories of her and Sr. Patricia. RIP Sr Kieran you deserve it.
I had Sr. Kieran in 2nd grade in St.Anthony and she was truly the best teacher I ever had in life. She was there for me even when she wasn’t my teacher no more. She gave the best hugs also especially when I was crying or just sad. She was an angel with beautiful big heart. Rest In Peace Sr. Kieran I will never forget you