Sister Kathleen Turley, RSM

Sister Kathleen Turley, RSM

Sister Kathleen Turley, RSM, (formerly Sister Mary dePaul) died Oct. 11 at Rhode Island Hospital in Johnston, R.I. She had been a Sister of Mercy for 66 years. 

Born in Ilion, Sister Kathleen was the daughter of the late Doris Wilcox Turley and Robert LaChance Turley. She earned an associate’s degree from Maria College in Albany; a bachelor’s degree in education from The College of St. Rose in Albany; and a master’s degree from Georgetown University. She began active ministry in a classroom, a setting where she was very much at home and a beloved teacher. She taught at St. Joseph’s School in Rensselaer and Mercy High School in Albany. From there, she moved on to Maria College, where she was instrumental in getting the evening and summer continuing studies programs on a solid footing.

Sister Kathleen became a familiar figure around the Diocese of Albany where she served in numerous positions, including Pastoral Planner and Chancellor. She was responsible for implementing the RENEW program and successful in empowering many folks in the pews to embrace the program. As the Director of Pastoral Planning, she supported the clustering process, bringing pastors and parish life directors together in consolidating programs to use personnel most effectively. Throughout all her ministries, Sister Kathleen shared her gifts as an artist, helping to create spaces that were both pleasing to the eye and user-friendly. Of course, it never hurt that she was a great baker.

In 2006, Sister Kathleen was elected to the leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, requiring her to relocate to Rhode Island. As a member of the team, she helped facilitate the coming together of six formerly independent Mercy communities into one while working to provide the services needed for the smooth running of a union of over 800 sisters. Sister Kathleen later went on to serve as Pastoral Support Liaison at Mount Saint Rita Health Centre in Rhode Island. Her primary role there was to offer pastoral care, presence and planned activities, primarily for the resident Sisters of Mercy.

The motto Sister Kathleen chose to have engraved in the simple silver ring she received at her final profession as a Sister of Mercy was “He must become more and more, I, less and less.”

In addition to her parents, Sister Kathleen was predeceased by her sisters, Carol Hart (Ronald) and Patricia Hartwell and a special aunt, Peg Margolis, and uncle, Joe Turley. She is survived by her brother Robert (Rory), eight nieces and nephews and their families, as well as by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates. The family is grateful to the Sisters of Mercy in Rhode Island with whom Sister Kathleen lived for many years, and more recently to the staff at Anchor Bay Care Center and the medical and ICU staff at Rhode Island Hospital, and to Sister Kathleen’s dear friends in Rhode Island, Sister Beverly Thorpe, RSM, and Ann Sloan.

The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial was celebrated on Oct. 17 at the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy in Albany. Interment followed at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Greenbush.

Contributions in Sister Kathleen’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Ave., Albany, N.Y., 12208.