Sister Kathleen Magee, MM

Born: January 8, 1945
Entered: September 2, 1963
Died: August 3, 2026

Kathleen Magee, M.M., passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at Phelps Memorial Hospital, surrounded by the loving presence of her Maryknoll Sisters. Her brother remained in close contact during her final days. She was 81 years old.

Kathleen was born on January 8, 1945, in Boston, Massachusetts to Robert L. Magee Sr. and Margaret A. (Odiome) Magee. From an early age, she demonstrated a deep commitment to faith, learning, and service. Her early education was at St. Clare’s, Roslindale and she received her high school diploma from Needham Senior High School in Needham, Massachusetts. She attended the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 1962–1963. She received her bachelor’s degree major in Elementary Education from Mary Rogers College in 1969. She completed a New York State Nurse Assistant Certification course in 1990 from BOCES Tech Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. In 1991-1995, she attended St. Joseph’s College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating with Honors and receiving her Master of Arts degree major in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1996. She also attended courses towards Master Therapist Series at the University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut in 1993-1996.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in Maryknoll, New York, on September 2, 1963. She made her First Profession on June 24, 1966, and soon began a missionary journey that would touch countless lives across many continents.

Her first mission assignment took her to Tanzania where she served from 1969 until 1981. There she taught at secondary school and at the local seminary, sharing her knowledge, faith, and dedication with generations of students. Her years in Tanzania reflected the missionary spirit that characterized her
entire life: a willingness to serve wherever she was needed and a commitment to helping others reach their fullest potential. In 1981-1982, she had a contemplative community living experience in Maua, Tanzania and Maryknoll, New York.

From 1983-1989 at Maryknoll, New York, Kathleen became a key contributor to Congregational leadership and administration. She played an instrumental role in the revision of the Maryknoll Sisters’ Constitutions and Policy Book, helping guide the Congregation through necessary updates and adaptations. Her keen intellect, attention to detail, and strong understanding of Church law made her an invaluable resource in this important work.

She worked at the Maryknoll Sisters Nursing Home in 1989-1992 providing Pastoral Counselling as well as a licensed Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Specialist.

In 1995, as part of a period of renewal, Kathleen went to St. Joseph College in Hartford, Connecticut, as graduate assistant in the Marriage and Family Therapy Department, concurrent with internship and study. She also worked and had a student internship at St. Francis Home for Children in New Haven, Connecticut in 1994-1996. This experience opened a new chapter in her ministry. She went on to teach social work and family therapy courses, as well as mentoring graduate students, and supervised group supervision programs for advanced social work students.

From 1996-1999, Kathleen ministered in Dover, Massachusetts, while lovingly caring for her mother until her death. Throughout these years, she remained deeply involved in the life of the Eastern U.S. Region of the Maryknoll Sisters. She served as bookkeeper, finance coordinator, archivist, and historian, and was instrumental in developing and strengthening the Region. She also initiated the Regional Newsletter, helping sisters remain informed and connected.

The next three years 2000-2002 Kathy worked at The Children’s Home of Cromwell, in Cromwell, Connecticut as Clinical Coordinator of a unit in a residential treatment facility for abused, neglected and delinquent youth, where her gifts for counseling, leadership, and care were deeply appreciated.

In the later years of her life, Kathleen resided in Connecticut, continuing to teach and mentor students remotely from her apartment. Despite increasing physical limitations, she remained intellectually engaged and maintained close relationships with colleagues, former students, and friends.

In April 2025 Kathleen moved to the Maryknoll Center as her health needs increased. There she received compassionate care from the dedicated staff of Maryknoll Integrative Care, whose loving attention enabled her to live her final years with dignity, comfort, and support.

Kathleen had a deep faith, and her favorite mystic was St. Catherine of Sienna, from whom she kept these quotes: “Be what God wants you to be, and thou will set the world on fire” and “You are rewarded not according to your work or time but according to the measure or your love”.

These quotes describe her so well. She will be remembered as a woman of faith, intelligence, generosity, and perseverance. She was a gifted educator, counselor, mentor, missionary, historian, and friend. Her gentle spirit, quiet determination, and unwavering dedication to the people she served left a lasting mark on all who knew her.

Kathleen is survived by her brother, who is with us today, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, Maryknoll Sisters, colleagues, former students, and friends around the world.

As a Congregation, we look back with profound gratitude for Kathleen’s life and ministry. We give thanks for her many years of faithful service and for the countless lives she enriched through her wisdom, compassion, and love.

May she rest in the peace of Christ, whom she served so faithfully throughout her life.

We welcome and thank our presider, our Maryknoll brother Father Edward Shellito, MM.