Kathleen Doyle, CSJP (1941-2024)

Sister Kathleen Doyle was born on December 28, 1941, in West New York, New Jersey, the only child of Martin Hilary and Bridget Theresa (Lynch) Doyle. Martin and Bridget emigrated from Ireland in the early 1920s and brought with them a sincere love of their God and the Church. Sister Kathleen grew up in a loving and faith-filled family. On her sixtieth Jubilee, she wrote that “it was within the home and my early school years that the seeds of my vocation were planted.”

Sister Kathleen was first introduced to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace through her cousin, Sister Mary Lynch, CSJP. She became a postulant on September 12, 1959, and was received as a novice on July 2, 1960. She pronounced her final vows on June 20, 1967, at St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Sister Kathleen earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Elementary Education at Caldwell College in Caldwell, New Jersey, a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and another Master of Arts in Religious Studies at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

Over her 64 years as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, Sister Kathleen generously shared her gifts with the local church in New Jersey through education, formation, and pastoral care. She taught and served as principal at various Catholic elementary schools in the state. After a sabbatical at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkley, California, Sister Kathleen worked in the newly reformed office of Catholic Education in the Trenton Diocese and then discerned a call to parish ministry. Within the Congregation, she served in formation and vocation ministry and more recently as Pastoral Life Coordinator at St. Michael Villa and as Eastern Region Funeral Coordinator.

Sister Kathleen was welcomed into the St. Michael Villa community in 2023. She died there on June 9, 2024, surrounded by love and care. Sister Kathleen will be missed for her compassionate and pastoral presence, her deep love of God and God’s people, and her gentle spirit. She is survived by cousins living in Ireland.

A combined wake service and Liturgy of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at St. Michael Villa. Sister Kathleen was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.