Catherine “Kitty” Wilson, SCN, 86 (formerly Sister Catherine Agnes) was born July 17, 1938, in Esmont, Va. She died on Nov. 12, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. On July 19, 1959, she made first vows as a Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
She was one of 16 children born to Alan E. Wilson of Roanoke and Mary Patterson Wilson. Two of her sisters, Sister Joan Wilson and Sister Carolyn Wilson, also are members of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Kitty is now enjoying eternal life with her parents and brothers Alan E. Jr. and Philip D.
Described as very lively and energetic, Sister Kitty put that boundless energy to good use. She served in various ministries in the United States, Belize, and Botswana.
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- Sister Kitty’s siblings, SCNs Joan and Carolyn Wilson, shared final moments with her with incensing the casket and sharing a final blessing.
Sister Kitty has been a teacher, a social worker, and a fundraiser to name a few of her roles over the decades. She taught primary grades in Columbus, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; and Helena, Ark. during her earliest ministries.
In Memphis, she also served as a supervisor of recreational activities and coach for the Keel Multiservice Center. She later was a coach at Presentation Academy in Louisville where she taught religion and worked in campus ministry.
Sister Kitty was one of the first SCNs who served the Belize mission. From 1976 to 1980 she worked in youth ministry and education in Dangriga, Belize and Cayo, Belize, for Sacred Heart Parish. She returned to Belize City in 1991, serving in pastoral ministry.
In 1993, Sister Kitty earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville. She was awarded the Kent School of Social Work Whitney Young Award for her commitment to social justice and equal opportunity for all. She used her degree to serve others in Florida, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Botswana. While living in London, Ky., she was an outreach counselor for St. Joseph Healthcare in Lexington.
From 2002 to 2008, she served her SCN Community in the Office of Congregational Advancement as the director of special and planned gifts at Nazareth.
Sister Kitty volunteered for many years with St. Mary Center, Doors to Hope, and Seven Counties, all in Louisville, before finally slowing down and retiring to the Motherhouse in 2021.
She is survived by her brothers, Joseph (Shirley), Douglas, J. Harris, and Michael, and sisters, Lois, Sister Joan, Frances Gearheart, and Sister Carolyn, Margaret Arthur (George), Bernadette Tripp (Maxie), Marilyn Stanley (James), Helen Wanner (Bill), Anita Hilliker (John). She is also survived by her large, extended family, many relatives, friends and her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Kitty’s arrangements:
- The Wake was held 6:30 p.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Church in Nazareth
- The Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in St. Vincent de Paul Church
- Burial followed in the Nazareth Cemetery.
Funeral Arrangements were handled by Ratterman Funeral Home, 3800 Bardstown Road in Louisville. Memorials may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, KY, 40048.
Very Sad to hear about sr. Kitty.May her soul rest in peace. I have great memories of her. Miss u sister.