We Say Goodbye to Sr. Karen Marie Franks, OP

Sister Karen Marie Franks, a Dominican Sister of San Rafael for 73 years died peacefully on November 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in San Rafael. Remembered for her wit, humor, and dedication to the people of God whom she served, Sister Karen Marie was a teacher, friend, and mentor to countless numbers of sisters, students, and their families, inspiring all with her love of learning. She spent her entire religious life in education, principally as a teacher of English and math. For several years, she taught in the congregation’s boarding schools, namely Dominican Convent Upper School (San Rafael), Santa Catalina School (Monterey), St. Rose Academy (San Francisco), and San Domenico School (San Anselmo). She taught math at Holy Angels School (Colma) and also taught at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno and Mercy High School in San Francisco where she became Director of Alumnae Relations from 1983 to 1998.

For some years Sister Karen Marie was principal at St. Vincent High School in Vallejo, CA, St. Rose Academy in San Francisco, CA, and San Domenico School in San Anselmo, CA.

A native San Franciscan, Kathryn Louise Franks was born on May 6, 1928, to George W. and Sarah (ImObersteg) Franks. She attended Laguna Honda School and later, St. Rose Academy.

Kathryn spent four active, involved years at Dominican College in San Rafael (now Dominican University of California) where she made many friends. There she received her BA in English and later, her MA in the same subject.

In 1949, Kathryn entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. At her reception, she received the religious name that she had been praying for Karen (a derivative of the name Catherine). Sister Karen Marie was known for her strong devotion to St. Catherine of Siena, a Dominican tertiary. She annually celebrated the feast of St. Catherine of Siena on April 30 (later April 29) and reminded her friends and family of this feast.

Sister Karen Marie found the next period of her life most energizing. She became a member of the Forum for Central and Eastern Europe, chiefly as a result of spending two summers in Poland and three summers in Ukraine teaching young sisters English. She also proudly served on the Council of Religious of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Sister Karen Marie was very close with her late sister, Patricia Franks Carpenter,
and her late brother-in-law, Samuel M. Carpenter. She was “Aunt Kathryn” to
Kathryn (Paul) Totah, Susan Carpenter, Patrick (Keitha Hunter) Carpenter, George
(Leslie) Carpenter, and Bill (Melinda) Carpenter; and “Great Aunt Kathryn” to Lauren (Andrew) Totah–McCarty, Michael Totah, Matthew and Brian Carpenter, Kayla (Sean Kennedy) Gibson, and Russell, Neal, and Benjamin (Elise) Carpenter.

On her 50th Jubilee, she shared her devotion to St. Catherine of Siena with the following words: “… [St.] Catherine and I have something in common—many, many good friends. When St. Catherine was asked what her friends meant to her, she said, ‘They are my soul.’ That thought has lingered with me and today, I can sum me up by saying to all of you, ‘You are my soul.’”

There will be a funeral service at the Gathering Space of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael on December 1, 2023, at 10 am, located at 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901. Following the funeral service, Sister Karen Marie will be buried in St. Dominic Cemetery in Benicia.

Memorial gifts in honor of Sister Karen Marie may be made to the Retirement Fund of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Development Office, 1520 Grand Avenue, San Rafael, 94901.
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.

Sr. Karen Marie’s Ministry

• Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Reno 1951 (History teacher)
• Dominican Convent Upper School, San Rafael 1951-55 (Math/History teacher)
• Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Reno 1955-57 (English teacher)
• Dominican Convent Upper School, San Rafael 1957-61 (Math/History/Religion teacher)
• Santa Catalina, Monterey 1961-65 (English/Math/Religion teacher)
• St. Vincent High School, Vallejo 1965-70 (Principal)
• St. Rose Academy, San Francisco 1970-73 (Principal)
• San Domenico Upper School 1973-82 (Principal)
• St. Rose Academy, San Francisco 1982-88 (English/Math teacher)
• Mercy High School, San Francisco 1988-92 (part-time teaching; office)