Sister Kathleen Stafford, age 76, died on June 19, 2022 in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She was born on November 28, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio to Mary Patricia (Wagner) and Lewis R. Stafford. Sister entered the Daughters of Charity on June 27, 1964 from Visitation Parish, Bay City, Michigan. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Maryland (1968) and her master’s degree in Elementary Education, National College of Education, Evanston, Illinois (1985).
Sister Kathleen served in Education Ministry throughout her years on mission, beginning as an Elementary Teacher at St. Christine School, Youngstown, Ohio (1967-1972), St. Barnabas School, Birmingham, Alabama (1972-1977), and St. Francis De Sales School, Lake Zurich, Illinois, (1977-1986). Beginning in 1986, Sister Kathleen began serving as an Elementary school Principal: St. Louis School, Princeton, Illinois (1986-1991), La Salle Catholic Grade School, La Salle, Illinois (1991-1997), Immaculate Heart of Mary School (1997-2005) and St. Thecla School, (2005-2006), in Chicago, and St. Peter and Paul School, Saginaw, Michigan (2006-2010).
In 2010, Sister Kathleen was missioned to Detroit, Michigan, to serve as Assistant Principal at Christ the King School, where she served until the time of her death. Sister Kathleen served twice as Local Community Superior, her first at St. Patrick School Sister’s Residence (1991-1997). In 2020, she became Local Community Superior at the House of Providence residence, Farmington Hills, Michigan, where she was serving at the time of her death.
The Visitation and Prayer Service took place on Thursday, June 23, McCabe Funeral Home, Farmington Hills Chapel. On Friday, June 24, Sister Kathleen lay in state followed by the Funeral Mass, which was held at the Church of the Transfiguration in Southfield. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.
Sister Kathleen was predeceased by her mother, Mary Patricia Carpenter; siblings; and her stepfather, Nat Carpenter. She is survived by her siblings, Harold (Beth) and Frances Stafford; six nieces and nephews; and her Sisters in Community.