Sister Katherine Ann Heinz SL, a longtime elementary school teacher, died March 14, 2026, at the Loretto Living Center on the grounds of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Ky. She was 97 and in the 79th year of her Loretto commitment. The daughter of Lillian K. (Dewey) and Henry A. Heinz, she was born Aug. 4, 1928, in Denver, and baptized Erma Jean Heinz. She was received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross April 25, 1947. Sr. Katherine Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in education, with minors in social studies and English, in 1959 from Loretto Heights College in Denver.

Sr. Katherine Ann spent 36 years as a teacher, mostly in lower grades at schools in El Paso, Texas, St. Louis and Denver. In Denver, she served at St. John School (1965 – 1972), St. Philomena School (1972 – 1981), Good Shepherd School (1981-1982), and Holy Family School (1982 – 1985). The next 16 years Sr. Katherine Ann worked at the Loretto Denver Staff Office, first as a computer clerk and then as data information coordinator. Retiring, she resided at the Denver Center until moving in 2008 to Loretto Motherhouse. There, she volunteered at Loretto Archives and served the Motherhouse Community until her death. Sr. Katherine Ann had lived out the advice she offered in her 90s when celebrating her 75th jubilee: “You should have a very close connection with God and pray to God to ask, ‘What do you want me to do?’” She always sought to do God’s will.

Sr. Katherine Ann outlived her immediate family and her Loretto novitiate classmates. A wake for Sr. Katherine Ann will take place 6:30 p.m. EST Thursday, March 19, with a funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. EST Friday, March 20, both at Loretto Motherhouse. Burial will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 430 Academy Lane, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.