In Remembrance

Sister Kathleen Duncan, CSJ

Sister Kathleen Duncan, CSJ (Sister Kathleen Paul), 78, died Monday, October 31, 2016, at Wilson Health Center, Johnson City, NY. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 59 years.

Sister Kathleen, the former Dorothy Ellen Duncan, was born May 26, 1938 in Binghamton, daughter of the late Ralph and Kathleen Curry Duncan. After graduating from St. Patrick’s Academy, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1957 and professed final vows on August 6, 1964. Sister Kathleen received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology, both from The College of Saint Rose. For sixteen years, she served as teacher and principal in schools in the Syracuse and Albany Dioceses and was superintendent of Catholic schools in Broome County for seven years. In addition, she was a speech therapist at both Carondelet Educational Center in Latham, NY, and Tioga Central School in Tioga, NY. Sister Kathleen served the Sisters of St. Joseph as regional director and director of development. In August 1997, she co-founded Samaritan House in Binghamton where she served as director for eleven years.

During Sister Kathleen’s ministerial life, she was called to be teacher and principal, speech and language therapist, superintendent of schools, development director and regional superior. All of these gifts came together when she founded Samaritan House, a resource and assistance center in Binghamton. Sister Kathleen frequently referred to Samaritan House as her “dream,” and it also became the dream of dozens of volunteers, friends and supporters.

Sister Kathleen’s family was dear to her heart. She delighted in travel with her sisters, Mary and Kay, and she loved political and cultural discussions with her brothers, Dan and David. Throughout her life, she was a faithful friend who relished trips to Weston Priory, mini-vacations and the joy of simple conversations and visits. Loving family member, good friend, generous giver of gifts, Sister Kathleen will be dearly missed.

Sister Kathleen is survived by her beloved family: her brother, David Duncan; her sisters, Martha Duncan and Mary Kmiecik; her nieces and nephews and their families; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Kathleen was predeceased by her brother, Daniel Duncan, and her sister, Kathleen Mansfield.

Sister Kathleen’s Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, November 4, in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. A prayer service celebrating her life was held on Thursday, November 3.

Contributions in Sister Kathleen’s memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110 or Samaritan House, 11 Fayette St., Binghamton, NY 13901.