Age 96
A source of kindness and companionship, Sister Kateri lived her motto, “Jesus, my way and my life.”
She Kateri entered the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 18 in Cumberland, Rhode Island. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Catholic Teachers College in Providence, Rhode Island, a certificate for home economics from Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, and a master’s degree in business administration from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.
An elementary school teacher for ten years in the Fall River, Massachusetts, diocese, she taught high school a total of 35 years at Mount St Mary Academy in Fall River, Massachusetts, Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Monsignor Bove High School in Providence, Rhode Island and Holy Family High School in New Bedford, Massachusetts where she served both as principal of the high school and superior of the convent.
At St. Mary Academy – Bay View in Riverside, Rhode Island, she conducted the home economics program in the high school and started the Little People’s School in the academy. At Bay View she was the superior to the house that included retired sisters and an infirmary as well as the Juniorate for sisters in formation.
Her work at Bay View prepared her for pastoral ministry at St. Martha’s Church, East Providence, Rhode Island. She ministered to the homebound elderly for ten years and held sessions for the bereaved and grieving. She was well-loved for her kindness and assistance.