Sister Kathleen was born on February 10, 1938, in Hartford, Connecticut, to parents Marshall and Margaret Rose (Butler) St. John. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1960, taking the name Kathleen Francis. She took her first vows on January 30, 1963, and final vows on July 27, 1968.
Sister Kathleen served the Lord through the ministries of education, librarianship, counseling, and as a home health aide. She served on the Connecticut Province Leadership Team from 1991-1996 and as a pastoral counselor for Julie House Residential Care in Windsor, Connecticut.
Sister Kathleen went home to her good God on January 7, 2024, at the age of 85 and after 63 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.