Sister Kathleen Lyons, CSJ

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada is saddened to announce the peaceful death of Sister Kathleen Lyons at the residence of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 485 Windermere Road, London, on Monday, March 9, 2026.

Kathleen Mary Agnes Lyons was born at home on October 25, 1929, in Padiham, Lancashire, England. When she was nine months old, her family emigrated to Canada and settled in Pembroke. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1947, receiving the name Sister Margaret Mary.Sister Kathleen is remembered with affection by her CSJ Sisters, her sister Margaret Fox, and her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, John Lyons and Alice (Gudgeon); her brothers Joseph (Gladys), Peter (Betty), and Anthony (Victoria) Lyons; her sisters Mary Lyons and Teresa (Roy) Giesebrecht; and her brothers-in-law Victor Togni and Jim Fox.

Sister Kathleen began her teaching ministry in Chapeau. Over the next 23 years, she served in numerous schools, including St. Anthony’s in Chalk River; St. Mary’s in Deep River; Holy Name in Pembroke; Our Lady of Sorrows in Petawawa; Our Lady of Fatima in Renfrew; and St. Andrew’s in Killaloe. In every setting, her gifts in art and music enriched parish and school life. She trained choirs for liturgical celebrations and Kiwanis Festivals, sharing her love of music with generations of students. During these years, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and diplomas in elementary and intermediate vocal music.

Following her years in education, Sister Kathleen completed a Master’s degree in Spirituality through the Van Kaam Institute in Pittsburgh. She then served for eight years in ongoing formation and as Assistant General Superior. From 1985 to 1987, she attended the C. G. Jung Institute in Zurich, deepening her understanding of dreams and their value in spiritual direction. Drawing on this formation, she offered private and guided retreats throughout Canada and as far away as Hong Kong. In her nineties, Sister Kathleen published In the Fullness of Time, a thoughtful collection of significant dreams received throughout her adult life. In this work, she reflected deeply on the importance of the feminine within the culture of the Church.

All services will be held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, 485 Windermere Road, London, Ontario

Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at www.csjcanada.org/funeralklyons The link will remain active.

Sister Kathleen’s body will then be transferred to Murphy Funeral Home, 296 Isabella St., Pembroke, Ontario. Visitation and a prayer service will take place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Columba’s Cemetery, 23 TV Tower Road, Pembroke, Ontario.

O’Neil Funeral Home in charge of arrangements in London. Online condolences at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca and at www.murphyfuneralhome.ca

Expressions of sympathy or donations to support the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Kathleen Lyons may be made at www.csjcanada.org