On Saturday, February 11, 2006, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Elementary School had a memorial mass for Sr. Mary Kathleen Mitchell, its principal from 1979-1989. Most people probably barely remember their principal from elementary school, but I think that would be different for the kids who attended St. Rose during her tenure.
I have a special affinity for her since she was good friends with my parents and a second mother figure to me. I saw her once while she was back in Houston for a visit in 1994; my mother talked to her on the phone a couple times after that. As with any time a special person in your life dies that you haven't seen in a while, I feel guilty about not making a better effort to stay in touch with her.
At the mass, I saw former classmate Rene Lozano, his mother and sister, Jane Fucheck (former 5th grade co-teacher, and Principal of Seton), Ms. Andrews (my former co-teacher, still teaching 2nd grade), and several other school employees I recognized but couldn't put a name to. I also saw 2 other people who were likely former students, but I didn't recognize them. There were about 60 people in a Church that can hold several hundred.
Both the memorial, and how empty the Church remained was sad. To me it didn't say few people cared she passed on; I would like to think many more would have come if they knew about the mass. Instead, I think it said something about the mobility, tenuous roots, and lack of continuity of communication in our communities today.
I would encourage any former St. Rose community members that can afford to - make a contribution in Sr. Kathleen's honor to St. Rose, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, or the National MS Society.
Published Obituary
1946-2006 Sister Mary Kathleen Mitchell, 59, passed away January 27, 2006 at Nazareth Living Center, St. Louis, MO from congestive heart failure due to complications of Multiple Sclerosis. She was born April 27, 1946 in KCMO to John McGinley Mitchell and Mary Kathleen Mitchell (Aylward). She was preceded in death by her parents John McGinley Mitchell and Mary Kathleen Mitchell and her brother J. Michael Mitchell. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 12, 1964 and made her final profession October 14, 1972. She graduate from St. Teresa's Academy in 1964 and Fontbonne College University, St. Louis, MO in 1969 with a B.A. in English/Elementary School and a M.A. in 1979 in Reading Specialist from Clarke College, Dubuque, Iowa and was a teacher/administrator for 40 years. Her missions included St. Joseph Juniorate, St. Louis, MO in 1967, Fontbonne University, St. Louis, MO in 1968, Little Flower School, Mobile, Al in 1969, 1975 St. Joseph School/Parish, Marietta, GA, in 1975, St. Rose of Lima, Houston, TX, in 1979, Avila University, KCMO, in 1989, St. Mary On The Hill School, Augusta, GA, in 1990, In Transition in 1994, Holy Cross School, Champaign, IL, in 1995, St. Teresa's Academy, KCMO, in 1999 and Nazareth Living Center, in 2000. She is survived by her mother Mary Carol Mitchell, sisters Margaret M. Mitchell and Mary Jo Phelps (Mike) and brother Joseph W. Sterner (Marilynn) as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Wake is 3-7 p.m. Sunday January 29, at Nazareth Living Center Chapel, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129 with service at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection 10 a.m. Monday January 30, at the Nazareth Living Center Chapel. Burial immediately following the Mass of Resurrection at Nazareth Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63111. She will be greatly missed by all of the teachers, students, parents of students and associates of her many years in education. She will be remembered with joy by her family and friends. Published in InfoKwik Kansas City News from 1/29/2006 - 2/3/2006.
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