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Mother McAuley's Sister Kate Dies, Remembered For Encouraging Students

By Howard Ludwig | August 25, 2017 8:32am
 Sister Kathleen
Sister Kathleen "Kate" Moriarty began working at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in 1978. She worked as a math teacher and guidance counselor at the all-girls Catholic school in Mount Greenwood.
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MOUNT GREENWOOD — Sister Kathleen "Kate" Moriarty's laugh was so loud, everyone within earshot could hear it. And those that did couldn't help but smile.

Moriarty, 81, died Aug. 20 and will be buried Friday following a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Mercy Chapel at 3659 W. 99th Place in Mount Greenwood. She served the Sisters of Mercy for 63 years.

The bulk of those years were spent at working at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Moriarty began as a math teacher at the all-girls Catholic school at 3737 W. 99th St. in 1978.

She took a one-year sabbatical in 1989 and returned to serve as a guidance counselor until June 2006. Sister Mary Cora Finnane worked alongside Moriarty throughout her tenure in the guidance office.

"I see her as a maternal, compassionate and caring person," said Finnane, who is also a Sister of Mercy. She lives at the Mercy Circle retirement community in Mount Greenwood.

Moriarty lived there too and suffered from arthritis. But few knew about her condition as she rarely complained, Finnane said.

Moriarty had nine siblings, and Finnane described her as the "matriarch of her family." Moriarty was a tremendous cook and worked as an elementary school principal prior to arriving at Mother McAuley, Finnane said.

The fellow nun briefly reflected on the number of lives she and Moriarty influenced as a guidance counselors, saying Moriarty wasn't afraid to push those with both potential and drive to achieve their goals, Finnane said.

"She would look the students in the eye. When you met with her, it was fun, but it was serious. She was a good egg," she said.

Moriarty will be buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 6001 W. 111th St. in south suburban Alsip.