Sister Kathleen McGurk (Catherine Mary), 85, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 64th year, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on December 20, 2014. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Kathryn (Sears) McGurk.
Sister Kathleen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Holyoke. She was graduated from St. Jerome High School, Holyoke and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a M.A. from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, Conn.
In the Diocese of Springfield Sister ministered as teacher at Immaculate Conception School and St. Thomas School, West Springfield; St. Mark School and St. Charles School, Pittsfield. She also served as Pastoral Minister at St. Charles Parish. She served the Congregation as Assistant Mistress of Novices from 1959-1968. She ministered in the Worcester Diocese as Pastoral Minister at St. Paul Human Services, Providence Nursing Home and St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, all in Worcester. She retired to St. Joseph Senior Residence, Mont Marie in 2007.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her brother-in-law Anthony Conlin and by her nieces and nephews Kathy Conlin, Maureen Burns, Shelia Fitzgerald, Ellen Conlin Jackowski, Karen Conlin, Kate Sullivan, William McGurk, David McGurk, Raymond McGurk, Sharon Hood, Geraldine Vale and Barry McGurk, She also leaves several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Raymond, John, William and Mildred McGurk and Mary Conlin. She was also predeceased by her nephews Richard McGurk and Kevin Conlin.