Sister Kathleen Horgan

Sister Kathleen Horgan died peacefully at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, Auburn, on September 4, 2025. Born to Denis and Nora Horgan on May 23, 1936, in Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland, she entered the Sisters of Mercy on May 10, 1954. Sister Kathleen was one of nine children, seven of whom preceded her in death: Michael, Sister Kathleen’s twin, Peg (Fenton), Denis, Noreen, Maureen (Dennehy), Richard, and Joan (O’Connor). She is survived by her brother, Father Sean Horgan, and her beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

Professed in 1956, Sr. Kathleen dedicated her life to the education of children, especially those most in need. She was instrumental in establishing SUCCEED, an initiative to provide funding for schools which were struggling economically. In 1982 Sister Kathleen was called to serve on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of Auburn and coordinated their apostolic planning for the future. After her time in leadership, Sister Kathleen began a rich and fruitful ministry at Mercy General Hospital where, in her role as Director of Mission Services, she fostered the Mission of Mercy and provided comfort and compassion to all she served.

A vigil service will be held for Sr. Kathleen on Thursday Sept 11th at 6:00pm at Holy Spirit Church, Land Pk Drive, Sacramento. The funeral liturgy will take place at Holy Spirit Church, Land Pk. Drive, Sacramento on Friday Sept. 12th at 10:00am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made in her honor to the Sisters of Mercy, 535 Sacramento Street, Auburn, CA. 95603 or to the Sr. Kathleen Horgan, RSM Family Birth Center at Mercy General Hospital by visiting supportmercyfoundation.org/sisterkathleen or mailing a check to Mercy Foundation, 3400 Data Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95667.