Sister Kristin Donworth, RDC, a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for 59 years, died peacefully at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, N.Y. on January 23, 2024.
Sr. Mary Kristin was born in White Plains, N.Y. on June 29, 1947, the daughter of Thomas Donworth and Selina Dolan Donworth. She entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion in 1965 and made her final vows in 1975.
Sr. Kristin earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Good Counsel College, her master’s degree in elementary education from Fairfield University and a second master’s in education administration and supervision from Pace University.
Sr. Kristin was certified as an American Montessori teacher, and received NYS permanent certification in elementary education.
The list of Sr. Kristin’s ministries over the years tells the story of a woman with a love for children, commitment to the marginalized, and a quiet spiritual life. Sister began her ministry in education as an elementary school teacher at several Archdiocesan schools, as well as Good Counsel Academy Elementary School, where Sister also served as an administrative intern and Director of Development. For the past 23 years, Sr. Kristin served the Sisters of the Divine Compassion in multiple administrative positions, and on Congregational Leadership Teams.
Sr. Kristin’s commitment to the poor and underserved led her to establish the Dannat Project and Rainbow Connection Summer Program for underserved children in White Plains. She served as the Director of Volunteers at S.H.O.R.E. and as a board member at St. Bernard’s Head Start. In addition, Sister worked for three years at Siena House. She wrote children’s books and published several educational articles and children's plays in the Religion Teacher's Journal and Momentum, the magazine for the National Catholic Education Association. She has been recognized numerous times for her generous service in White Plains and the Bronx.
The hallmarks of Sr. Kristin’s life were love of family, fierce commitment to her ministries, and deep fidelity as a Sister of the Divine Compassion.
“Sr. Kristin’s quiet, unassuming presence and gift of being a great listener, endeared her to everyone,” Sr. Laura Donovan, President of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, said.
Sr. Kristin is survived by her Sisters of the Divine Compassion, her siblings, Nancy, Tom, Bill, Ellen, James, Robert, Michael and Susan, eight nieces and nephews and seven grandnieces and grandnephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, John.
Visitation & Services:
- Friday, January 26, 2024 - McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Chapel of the Divine Compassion, 52 North Broadway, White Plains, N.Y.
- Visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, 52 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603 by clicking on the donate button on the top right hand side of this page.
