Obituary of Sr. Kathleen F. Koerner, SC

Sister Kathleen Koerner, SC, 94, formerly Sister Leo Joseph, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died Friday, April 21, 2023 at Saint Joseph Healthcare and Rehab Center, Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Kathleen was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Frederick and Caroline (Kloverkorn) Koerner. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 7, 1946, and was a member for 76 years.

Sister Kathleen graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey with a B.A. degree in English, from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana with an M.A. degree in English and from Villanova University with a MSLS degree in Library Science. Sister Kathleen was an Educator in New Jersey and New York. She was Principal at St. Cecilia School in Kearny. She served as a teacher at St. Vincent Martyr School, Madison; St. George School, Paterson; Holy Name of Jesus School, East Orange; St. Catharine School, Glen Rock; St. Peter High School, New Brunswick; St. Michael High School, Jersey City, Marylawn of the Oranges and St. Mary High School, Jersey City. Her education and skills as a librarian were shared with the students at the Academy of Saint Aloysius in Jersey City, the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station and Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island, New York.  Sister Kathleen was an intern for Bread for the World. While at Xavier Center, at Convent Station, Sister Kathleen also served in the Ministry of Hospitality and Service.

Sister Kathleen is remembered for her gentle presence and smile. She had a dry sense of humor which was enjoyed by many who knew her. In her suffering, she could always manage to greet you with a smile and to say, “thank you for coming to see me.”  Sister Kathleen, you have fought the good fight, finished the race and ALWAYS kept the faith.”

Sister Kathleen was predeceased by her brother, Father Frederick Koerner. She is survived by her family, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and her many friends.

The wake for Sister Kathleen Koerner will be held in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Masks are encouraged.  Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station immediately following the Mass. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Sister Kathleen Koerner may be sent to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961-0476.