Sr. Kathleen Cleary, OSF, of Clinton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the Alverno. A private Mass will be held. Burial will be in St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting.
Kathleen Irene Cleary was born October 23, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio, the eldest of the twelve children of Patrick Joseph and Ruth Mae (Ware) Cleary. She had three brothers, Patrick, Philip John, and Anthony, and eight sisters, Mary Nell, Marjorie, Charla, Teresa, Sheila, Ruth Ann, Molly, and Emma Lucretia.
She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount St. Clare Convent, Clinton on September 8, 1958 and received the name Mary Philip at her reception on June 15, 1959. She later resumed her baptismal name. She made her first profession on August 12, 1961 and her final profession on August 12, 1964.
She completed elementary, middle and the first two years of high school at Catholic schools in Colorado prior to graduating from Mount St. Clare Academy in 1958. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education at Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa, and later completed a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education at The University of Seattle, Seattle, WA. She also earned a Master of Science degree in Counseling & Psychology from California Baptist University, Riverside, California. She held an Iowa Professional Teaching Certificate.
Sister Kathleen taught 1st and 2nd grades at St. Mary’s School in Carrollton, Missouri from 1961-69, and was director of the Mount St. Clare Preschool for the next eight years. For the remainder of her active ministry, she was missioned in California. She taught primary grade children at St. Margaret Mary School in Chino and at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside. She also directed the Extended Day Program at St. Catherine’s in Riverside, and for many years, she served as librarian, counselor, and assistant principal at St. Margaret’s, Chino.
Sr. Kathleen retired at The Canticle in November 2019 and moved to the Alverno in July 2020. She continued to minister to everyone around her through her cheerful spirit, her positive attitude, and her openness to all she met.
Sr. Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Charla, and her brother-in-law Robert Holmes, as well as her great aunts Clinton Franciscans Sr. Brendan, Sr. Winefride, and Mother Regis Cleary.
She is survived by her brothers, Patrick (Chris), Philip John (Jill), and Anthony Edward (Joyce) Cleary; her sisters, Mary Nell Cleary, Marjorie Holmes, Teresa Margiotti, Sheila (Gary) Saxton, Ruth Ann (Thomas) Marsh, Molly Cleary, and Emma Lucretia Foster; nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Francis with whom she shared life for over 62 years.
Sr. Kathleen had such a kind & gentle soul. She loved & guided all SMMS children during their time at the school. Always caring and a sense of humor with that “twinkle” in her eye. She will be sincerely missed but remembered as a remarkable teacher, counselor, librarian, etc. She remains in our hearts for all the goodness and kindness she shared with us all. Our deepest sympathy to her family & friends
Thank you Sister Kathleen for your warm smile, sense of humor and most of all watching over my Daughter during her time at SMMS.
Respectfully
Richard, Anna & Sarah (Class of 2011) Alvarado
Chino Hills, Ca.
Sr. Kathleen was someone wise beyond words. She was an inspiration to all who met her.In my classroom, I still use so many of the tools she taught me. She had such a positive outlook on life, and I admired her deep faith in God. She will be missed here on Earth, but the legacy she left behind will never be erased. St. Margaret Mary School was so blessed to have her for so long. My condolences to all who loved her.
Sr. KC has been my friend since Mt. St. Clare High School in 1954. She was terrible at returning calls, but when she did it was as if no time had passed. We laughed about that often. Will miss her smiling face and great sense of humor. She was at my house many times and my husband and kids loved her too. Be happy KC…
Sr Kathleen was a warm and caring person. My daughter, son and grandson were taught by Sr Kathleen at SMM in Chino, Ca.
Thank you, Sr Kathleen, for loving all our children just like Jesus did. We parents and children were truly blessed to have you at SMM.
We love you Sr Kathleen.
My condolence to family and friends.
Sister Kathleen was a great teacher! I worked with her in the preschool at the Mount while I was a high school student. She inspired me to become a teacher. I retired after 41 years and now work in a 3 year old preschool. I can still hear her laughing and see her smiling with those children!
Sister Kathleen, have fun with the children in Heaven!
i think i had as a teacher for my commiuon and confromation
i went to St Margarget Mary Church
Sister Kathleen was such a beautiful soul! Oh how I loved her!! So many great memories over the 17 years that I taught CCD at St. Margaret Mary’s, each holiday season my class would have a celebration and take goodies over to Sister, oh how she adored the children ? she always answered her door with open arms and a smile! I will certainly miss our talks Sister, you helped me thru many ugly times with your grace and wisdom. I love you so much! Now you are in Jesus’s sweet care. Well done faithful Servant, well done. ???
Sister Kathleen was my first grade teacher. She was always so kind and caring. I am so thankful that I was able to run into her as an adult and thank her for all she had done. She will be missed greatly!
Sister Kathleen was such a beautiful person inside and out she always made time for people kids and who ever needed someone to talk to but to me she was family she sat at our table holidays birthdays graduations and just plain old barbecues she was truly a beautiful and caring person and we are all thankful for the time we had with her and we are all better people because of her
Sr.Kasey was the oldest of my childhood best friend Annie. When she came home to Ohio to visit she filled up the room with so much joy and sunshine! What a beautiful soul. May she be greeted by the Angel’s into the everlasting joy.
I was a student at St Margaret Mary School from 2006-2017 and got to know sister Kathleen very well. Sister was kind and helpful to all. She always prayed for us and encouraged everyone to read. I remember she could make you feel better when you were feeling down. One day I got to spend an entire day in the library with her. She and I spoke about many things. Thank you for that day Sister! My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I truly feel blessed and honored that Sister Kathleen was a part of my life. God bless her soul.
Sister Kathleen had a kind and gentle spirit. She was as genuine a person as I have ever known. She lived her life by following Jesus. She loved teaching, but most of all, she loved the kids! Thank you Sister Kathleen, for loving us all the time – no matter what!
Sister Kathleen was a wonderful person who inspired our girls to be better. We will miss her. She was very special to all of the faculty, parents and kids at SMMS. Rest In Peace❤️
Sister Kathleen had a huge impact on my life and instilled in me the love of reading as my first grade teacher. I am proud to call her my teacher, my mentor but most importantly, my friend. She always had time to listen and always had a positive outlook on life. Heaven got a great addition. She will be missed!
Sr. Kathleen was always a joy to be around, a friend to all with a very positive and caring attitude. I will always remember her not just as the librarian but also a friend whom always had time to talk and give advise. I feel very fortunate and blessed to heave known her. My prayers and condolences to her Family.
Sr. Kathleen, you will be missed. May you rest peacefully and enjoy your just rewards in heaven.