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(1934-2023)
Sister Kathryn “Kate” Hartnett, formerly known as Sister Michael Ellen, died on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 88 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Chicago to James and Claire (Kavanaugh) Hartnett. She graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in St. Charles, Illinois, and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Education degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
Sister Kate ministered in elementary education for 50 years in Detroit, Michigan, and Riverdale and Chicago, Illinois. This includes four years as principal for St. Mary Star of the Sea and 32 years as principal of St. Ailbe, both in Chicago. Sister also served as development director for two years at St. Ailbe and volunteered at Trinity Advocate Hospital in Chicago for eight years.
Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, James and Jeanne Hartnett. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed to all guests or visitors until further notice. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2022, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2022. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)
Worship Aid (PDF)
Left: The Hartnett siblings, from left, Kathryn, Jeanne, and James; Center: Sister Kathryn Hartnett; Right: Sister Kathryn Hartnett during Mass
Left: Sister Kathryn Hartnett with students from St. Alibe School, 2003; Center: Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, left, and Magdalena Ezoe; Right: Attending a Catholic schools meeting are, standing, from left, Sisters Eileen Morley and Nancy Fischer; Elaine Shuster, Chicago Superintendent of Schools; and Sisters Sean Morley and Kathryn Hartnett; and seated from left, Sisters Nora O’Brien and Elizabeth Lynch.
Left: From left, Sisters Mary Alice Hoff, Lila Watt, and Kathryn Hartnett; Center: Sister Kathryn Hartnett enjoying an event; Right: Sister Kathryn Hartnett with spring flowers
Members of the 2012 Diamond Jubilarian Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, Carolyn Nelson, Reta Drexler, Arlene Marie Kosmatka, Frances Madigan, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); middle row, from left, Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, Marguerite Renuart, Maureen Keeler, Lorraine Sinn, and Cora Marie Campbell; and front row, from left, Sisters Anne Cenci, Ann Kelly, Joann Weigang, and Magdalena Ezoe.
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