Sister Karen Marie Franks, OP

May 6, 1928 - November 18, 2023

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 who 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.

A native San Franciscan, Kathryn Louise Franks was born on May 6, 1928 to George W. and Sarah (Im-Oberteg) 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.

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

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. Assisted by Monte’s Chapel of the Hills,

San Anselmo.