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Sister Kathleen McDonough, SNJM

Sister Eileen Catharine

June 25, 1930 – March 5, 2016

Departed this life on March 5, 2016 at Our Lady of Fatima, Saratoga, California. Sister Kathleen had celebrated 85 years of life and 64 years of religious profession.

Sister Kathleen McDonough, SNJM

Sister Eileen Catharine

June 25, 1930 – March 5, 2016

Kathleen Delia McDonough, SNJM, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 25, 1930 to Irish Catholic parents Eileen Catherine Ryan, a schoolteacher, and Walter Thomas (“WT”) McDonough, a firefighter. She attended Prospect Cleveland Public, Christ the King Elementary, and Notre Dame Academy. Moving to California in 1945, Kathleen completed secondary education at Saint Monica High School in Santa Monica, where she met the Sisters of the Holy Names. After one year at Santa Monica City College, she entered Holy Names Convent in Oakland.

At her reception into the Novitiate, Kathleen chose her Mother’s name as her religious name: Sister Eileen Catharine. She earned her BA from Holy Names University, an MA in Education Administration from San Francisco State University, and a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles. With a CA Elementary Teaching Credential, Kathleen taught at Our Lady of Lourdes, Oakland; St. Cecilia, San Francisco; All Souls, Alhambra; St. Mary, Boyle Heights. She served as Principal at St Elizabeth, Altadena; St. Cecilia, San Francisco and St. Anastasia, Los Angeles.

In 1973 Kathleen transitioned to parish ministry, serving at Saint Monica, Santa Monica; St. Elizabeth, Altadena; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Montebello; and St. Bede, La Canada. In retirement, Kathleen volunteered at San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of Southern California Partners for Global Justice, who educate and advocate for the abolition of human-trafficking.

Retiring from active ministry in 2011, she moved to the SNJM retirement community in Los Gatos. Kathleen died peacefully on March 5, 2016 at Our Lady of Fatima Villa, Saratoga, CA.

Pre-deceased by her beloved parents, brothers Walter, James, Richard, and nephews Timothy, Stephen and Ryan. Kathleen is survived by her sister-in-law Sharon McDonough, nieces Susan Bierlich, Kathleen McDonough, Peggy Honoré and Mary Claire McDonough, and by her nephews Joseph and James McDonough, many friends, former students, colleagues and her Sisters and Associates of the Holy Names.