Sister M. Kathleen Dunn (formerly Sister Regina Noel) died in Camilla Hall on July 25, 2025. Sister was in the 69th year of her religious life.
Kathleen was born on September 25, 1937. Sister’s parents Frank A. and Dorothy (O’Keefe) Dunn raised Kathleen and her brother in St. Louis Parish in Yeadon. Sister attended St. Louis grade school (1943-1951) and Villa Maria Academy (1951-1955) and one year at Immaculata College before entering the Community on September 8, 1956. While in the Congregation, Sister earned an A.B. degree in English from Immaculata and an M.A. degree in English from Villanova University.
Kathleen entered the community on September 8, 1956; she received her habit and her religious name Sister Regina Noel on March 9, 1957, and she professed her First Vows on August 19, 1958. When given permission to do so, Sister Regina Noel returned to the use of her baptismal name, M. D. Kathleen Dunn.
For the first ten years of Sister’s teaching ministry, fall of 1958–school year ended in 1968, Sister taught second graders for two months and seventh graders for her remaining tenure at St. Joseph School in Reading. Sister’s next assignment (for one year) was at St. Eugene School in Primos where she taught eighth grade students.
In the fall of 1969 through the school year ended in 1976, Sister Kathleen taught English to high school students at Notre Dame High School in Easton.
In August 1976 through 2024, Sister Kathleen returned to her Alma Mater, Villa Maria Academy, where she remained an ever gentle and enthusiastic educator for the next 48 years. During the last fourteen years of Sister’s ministry at VMA, Sister worked diligently in the Writing Center/Curriculum Office assisting both students and faculty. Between her high school days and her years of faithful, joyful, and prayerful ministry at Villa, Sister Kathleen spent 52 years glorifying God in that sacred space.
In August 2024 Sister Kathleen joined the community at Camilla Hall where she partnered with other Sisters as a member of the Prayer & Presence team.
In addition to her IHM Community and her local Community at Camilla Hall, Sister Kathleen is survived by her many devoted cousins. Sister is predeceased by her parents Frank Dunn and Dorothy (O’Keefe) Dunn and her brother Frank Dunn.
Reverend John Burger, S.C.C. celebrated Sister Kathleen’s Funeral Mass on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355