When Kathleen Marie Gannon-Briggs passed away in September 2025, her family knew exactly how to honor her memory. Rather than flowers, they asked that donations be made to FACE—the organization Kathy founded and championed throughout her remarkable career in Catholic education.
Born in a taxicab in Chicago and raised by a single mother in Fort Lauderdale, Kathy understood from personal experience that circumstances of birth should never limit a child’s potential. After serving as an Adrian Dominican Sister and teaching in Catholic schools across the country, she dedicated her life to ensuring that Catholic education remained accessible to all families.
As a principal at five different Catholic schools in the Oakland Diocese, Kathy witnessed firsthand the financial barriers preventing deserving students from accessing transformative education. She saw talented children and faithful families who simply couldn’t afford tuition. This reality drove her to help create FACE, a program that would remove financial obstacles and open doors.
“Kathy believed that every child deserved the opportunity she had received through Catholic education,” reflects Terri Porter, FACE Executive Director. “FACE wasn’t just a program to her—it was a moral imperative. She knew that education was the pathway to breaking cycles of poverty and building stronger communities.”
Throughout her career, Kathy touched the lives of hundreds of students and families. But through FACE, her impact multiplied exponentially. The program she helped build has provided millions of dollars in tuition assistance, enabling thousands of students to attend Catholic schools across the Diocese of Oakland.
When Kathy’s family designated FACE for memorial donations, they weren’t just honoring her past work—they were extending her legacy into the future. Those gifts, combined with legacy commitments from others who share Kathy’s vision, ensure that her mission continues.
“Kathy would be so proud to know that her legacy lives on through FACE,” says Porter. “Every child who gets to attend a Catholic school because of this program is a testament to her life of service.”
Today, as FACE continues to grow and serve more families, Kathy’s founding vision remains at its heart: that financial circumstances should never prevent a child from receiving a quality Catholic education. Those who include FACE in their estate plans join Kathy in building a legacy that will educate and inspire generations to come.