Obituary of Sr. Kathleen Quigley

Sister Kathleen Quigley SC, 80, (formerly Sister Kathleen Louise) a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died March 8, 2026, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, New Jersey. Sister Kathy would have celebrated her 81 st birthday on March 9.

Sister Kathy was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the daughter of Joseph and Louise (Gadek) Quigley. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1963, and was a member for 62 years.

Sister Kathy graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station with a BS degree in Biology, from Saint Mary’s College, Winona, MN with a MA degree in Biology, from Vermont College of Norwich University, Montpelier, VT with a MA in Social Ministry and from The Graduate Theological Foundation, Donaldson, IN with a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction.

Sister Kathy served in the ministry of Catholic education as a teacher and Campus Minister. Initially she was a biology teacher at Marylawn of the Oranges High School in South Orange, NJ. She then taught Biology and Religion at Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, NJ. Some years later Sister Kathy returned to Marylawn and then Immaculate Conception to serve as Campus Minister. Sister Kathy’s pastoral ministry in New Jersey included serving as the Coordinator of Pastoral Services for the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity and as Chaplain at Saint Joseph’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Grove.

In 1980, Sister Kathy went to rural Mississippi to volunteer in a summer Bible School program. The people she met there touched her heart and she returned in the Fall to join Sister Marie Gilligan (RIP) in providing spiritual support and direct service to people of all faiths in rural Amory, Mississippi. When Sister Marie was named Resident Pastoral Minister at Saint Helen’s Church in Amory, Sister Kathy served as Pastoral Associate. In addition to her outreach and pastoral ministry, she established a choir there which joined her in recording her original music. Sister Kathy described her process of composition as a religious experience which was a gift from God to invite others to share in the mystery of God’s love.

Sister Kathy was an accomplished musician. She shared her creative gifts with the Sisters of Charity, her students, parishioners and all who joined together in prayer. She could often be seen leading the choir in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station for community gatherings and special liturgies. The retreats, prayer services, and liturgies which Sister Kathy prepared were creative and meaningful. Sister Kathy was deeply spiritual, compassionate, fun-loving, and enthusiastic about everything she did. Even in her final illness, Sister Kathy was thoughtful and caring, always advocating for those in need.

Sister Kathy was proceeded in death by her parents, Louise and Joseph Quigley, and her stepfather Joseph Knowles. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her brother Joseph and his wife Nancy, her niece Erin and her husband Christian Wheelock, her niece Annie and her husband Adam Leicher, her nephew Brian and his wife, Valerie and three grandnieces and one grandnephew.

The wake for Sister Kathleen Quigley will be held at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ, from 9:30 AM -11:00 AM on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM and will be livestreamed. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, NJ will immediately follow the Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of SJ Priola Parsippany Funeral Services, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sister Kathleen Quigley to the Sisters of Charity Office of Legacy and Mission Advancement, P O Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961, would be appreciated.