A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Dorothy Kinniry, D.C., was celebrated February 16, 2018, at DePaul House Chapel in Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y. Sister died on February 9, 2018, at St. Louise House in Albany. Sister was 98 years of age and 79 years vocation.
Born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Penn., on August 21, 1919, Sister Dorothy was one of six children born to Michael and Kathryn (Coady) Kinniry. Sister Dorothy joined the Community of Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in May 1938 from Immaculate Conception Church, Germantown. Sister Dorothy graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia in 1937. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., in 1954; she earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The Catholic University, Washington, D.C., in 1956.
Early in her ministry, Sister Dorothy ministered in Elementary Education at St. Ann’s School, Bridgeport, Conn., (1939 to 1940); St. John’s School, Baltimore, Md., (1940 to 1945); Our Lady of Victory School, Portsmouth, Va., (1945 to 1948); St. Martin’s School, Baltimore, Md., (1948 to 1950); and St. Mary’s School, Troy, N.Y., (1950 to 1953). Sister Dorothy then served as a Social Worker at St. Vincent’s Infant Home, Baltimore, Md., (1953 to 1954); St. Vincent’s Home, Washington, D.C., (1954 to 1956); St. Mary’s Villa, Baltimore, Md., (1956 to 1960); St. Vincent’s Infant Home, Baltimore, Md., (1960 to 1962); Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York, New York, N.Y., (1962 to 1968); St. Catherine’s Home, Albany, N.Y., (1968 to 1971; while there Sister served as the Local Community Superior); Nazareth Center, Boston, Mass.,(1971 to 1973; while there Sister served as the Local Community Superior); and St. Mary Magdalene, Buffalo, N.Y., (1973 to 1978; while there Sister served as the Local Community Superior). Sister Dorothy completed her certification as a Certified Chaplain and served in Pastoral Care at Lourdes Memorial Hospital, Binghamton, N.Y., (1979 to 1981); St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, Conn., (1981 to 1983); Sisters Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y., (1983 to 1988; while there Sister served as Local Community Superior); and Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, Penn., (1988 to 1995). In 1995, Sister joined the Ministry of Prayer at St. Louise House, Albany, N.Y., and served there until the time of her death.
Sister Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Kathryn; and siblings, Joseph, Marie, Francis, John, and Raymond. She is survived by one niece, Sister Bernadette Kinniry, RSM; and one nephew, Michael Kinniry (Alice); many friends; and her Sisters in Community.