Kathleen Raymond Gionet Nulty, a former member of the Amityville Dominican Community (religious name: Sister Kathleen Raymond, from 1956 to 1984), was born Florence Marie Gionet in St. Mary’s, Winfield, parish. Last June 28, she willingly and with much love gave her spirit over to God. She was 68 years old.

Upon leaving the convent in January, 1985, she continued using her religious name, Kathleen, which was her mother’s name in addition to her family name Gionet.

At the age of 16, Kathleen entered the Postulancy, made her religious profession in 1958 and lived at St. Thomas Apostle, Woodhaven, from 1958 to 1963; St. Teresa, Montauk Point, 1963-66; Sacred Heart, Cambria Heights, 1966-72. She attended Molloy College, where she graduated with a degree in sociology and education in 1971. While attending Molloy College, she learned to drive.

Thanks to her dear friend Sister Clare Norton’s encouragment (also an Amityville Dominican), she received her master’s degree in special education from Hunter College in 1978.

She then lived at St. Bartholomew’s in Elmhurst from 1973 to 1975. At this time, she became interested in the Charismatic Movement in the Catholic Church, attending weekly prayer meetings at the Passionist Monastary in Jamaica.

From 1972 to 1977, Kathleen taught special ed classes at Resurrection Ascension in Rego Park. From 1977 to 1984, she lived and worked at Sacred Heart, East Glendale, teaching seventh and eighth grades. Upon leaving Sacred Heart, she worked for The Shield Institute in Flushing, from September, 1984 to March, 1985; IS 93 in Ridgewood (ninth grade special ed) until June, 1986; PS 71, Ridgewood, 1986-87; PS 119 JHS, Glendale, 1987-88; and PS 81, Ridgewood, 1988-97.

In July, 1997, she and her husband Jimmy Nulty (whom she married on Oct. 1, 1988 at St. Matthias Church, Ridgewood) moved to Wilmington, NC, where they died on Nov. 18, 2006 and June 28, 2007, respectively.

While Kathleen and Jimmy lived in Bayside, they were both very active members of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish, as well as the Holy Cross H.S. Father’s Club and Women’s Guild. Jimmy’s son Neil graduated from Holy Cross in 1982.

She was a wonderful friend, confidant and spiritual advocate, who always went above and beyond the call of duty, not in any way selfish, always thinking about others.

When the doctors told her she had fourth stage renal cell carcinoma (cancer that starts in the kidneys and spreads to other organs when not diagnosed and treated early), she said, “I am going to die!” She cried and did ask, but only once, “Why is this happening to me?” But she didn’t sink into self-pity, but rather used her illness and suffering to glorify God, to be made more like Him.

She was comforted as she was on her way to get the results of a battery of tests she had undergone by these words, “Don’t worry, God has this all planned and worked out. You have nothing to fear!”

She also said, “I have always wanted to be a saint, so I know I am going to have to suffer.” She accepted her suffering, but admitted what a horrible disease cancer is! She would remind those who prayed for a miracle, that it is not our will, or her will, but “God’s Will!” She preferred that you prayed for God’s Will.

She was the comforter as she neared death, not at all afraid, very much at peace, knowing God was holding her in the palm of His hands.

She lived and died with hope and never gave up on her faith in God and His promise of eternal life to those who believe in Him. And she still believed in miracles right up until her death, knowing that to die and go be with God was a miracle in itself!

She left all those who knew her, her example of selfless giving and heartfelt caring.

A memorial Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Hope Church, Middle Village, last November.
Her smile, her hearty laugh, will never ever be forgotten!