Disclaimer: This obituary is based on details provided by the Catholic Review Media and has been expanded upon for clarity and detail.
Sister Kathleen Shannon, Dedicated Educator and Daughter of Charity, Dies at 70
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Emmitsburg, MD – Daughter of Charity Sister Kathleen Shannon, a lifelong educator and devoted member of her religious order, died Aug. 20 at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg, Maryland, after a battle wiht lymphoma. She was 70 years old.
Born jan. 6, 1955, in Baltimore, Sister Kathleen was the eldest of three children born to Leona Elizabeth (Kline) and James Andrew Shannon. Her commitment to service began early,leading her to enter the Daughters of Charity on April 6,1976,from her home parish of St. Matthew in Northeast Baltimore.
A Career Rooted in Education
Sister Kathleen’s passion lay in mathematics education. She dedicated decades to fostering a love of learning in students across multiple states and institutions. Her teaching career began at St. Joseph High school in Emmitsburg, followed by a period at Seton High School in Baltimore. For the past 13 years, she profoundly impacted the lives of students at Caroline center in Baltimore, instructing in the Pharmacy and Medical Technician program.
Her academic pursuits mirrored her dedication to teaching. Sister Kathleen earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She continued her studies, achieving master’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Maryland and in business from Loyola University Maryland (formerly Loyola College).
Beyond the Classroom: A Life of Service
Sister Kathleen’s ministry extended far beyond the classroom. She served as local superior at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Washington, D.C.,from 1993 to 1999,providing leadership and guidance to her fellow sisters.She also contributed to the creation and management of the perry Family Health Center in Washington, D.C., demonstrating a commitment to holistic community care.
Her diverse roles included positions at Sacred heart Hospital in Cumberland,Maryland,and Providence Hospital in Washington,D.C., where she provided mission services. She also served as an outreach coordinator at St. Cyprian Parish in Georgetown,South Carolina,extending the Daughters of Charity’s reach to those in need. Earlier in her career,she taught at schools in Portsmouth,Virginia,and Bladensburg,Maryland,and at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg.
“Sister Kathleen’s dedication to her students and her unwavering faith were an inspiration to all who knew her,” said a colleague at Caroline Center, who wished to remain anonymous.
“She had a gift for making complex concepts accessible and for instilling confidence in her students.”
She was preceded in death by her father, James Andrew Shannon. She is survived by her mother, Leona Elizabeth Shannon; sister, Colleen Rose Shannon; brother, Michael Thomas Shannon; and sister-in-law, Lori Shannon.
Funeral Services
A wake service was held Aug. 22 at the Villa Chapel in Emmitsburg,followed by the Mass of Christian Burial on Aug. 23 at the Basilica Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Burial took place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery on the grounds of the Villa.
The Catholic Review extends its deepest condolences to the Daughters of Charity, Sister Kathleen’s family, and all those whose lives she touched.
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