Kathleen “Kathy” Barnstead set out to become a nurse in 1951 at age 17. Little did she know then that she would spend the next 60 years teaching generations of new and seasoned nurses.

“I used to teach before I came (to live) here, all my life,” says Kathy, now a St. John’s Home resident. The Elmira native started nursing school at St. Joseph’s Health College of Nursing. Kathy says she always knew she wanted to be a nurse and was “determined to do so.”

“I graduated when I was 20,” says Kathy, “and I worked in a hospital in Elmira.”

Kathy says that during her studies to become a nurse and time at the hospital, she was often told that she would make a great teacher. “So, I went to Elmira College and got my degrees,” says Kathy.

“And they asked me to teach at the School of Nursing, and that’s what I did for 17 years,” says Kathy.

She says that she has had a “fabulous career,” and takes great pride in knowing that she helped “many students thrive and become registered nurses.”

“I was on top of the world while teaching,” says Kathy.

While reminiscing about her early career, Kathy recounts the life changes she went through at that time. Kathy’s daughter Joanne married and moved to Rochester, and in 1986, Kathy’s husband Wilfred passed away unexpectedly.

“So, I moved up here (Rochester), and thought to myself, ‘Now what am I going to do?'” says Kathy. Just by word of mouth, Kathy applied for a nursing position at St. John’s Home.

“I thought I would work as a ‘regular’ nurse,” says Kathy. “I didn’t care if I taught anymore, after my husband died, I wanted to do something different.”

“I just wanted to work and be busy,” says Kathy.

Kathy says that when she initially interviewed with Director of Nursing Jan Davies, she was told there were no open positions for nurses or in teaching, “but Jan saw my degrees and saw an opportunity for me in staff development,” she recounts.

So, in 1990, Kathy began her career at St. John’s. “I even remember the outfit I wore on my first day, I can see it today,” she says.

In her position, Kathy helped the nursing staff with all things work-life and how to further their growth at St. John’s and in nursing.

“I would be on the floors all day,” says Kathy, “I knew everyone’s name and it was great.”

Part of her role at St. John’s included overseeing New Employee Orientation. During one session in 1992, Kathy met Charlie Runyon, who would go on to be St. John’s President and CEO for 23 years. “He asked if I taught in Elmira, and I said yes,” says Kathy. “He told me I taught his sister, and he called her up for me — small world.”

More St. John’s Nursing Stories: Nursing Journeys

For the next 10 years, Kathy became an important part of the “St. John’s family” as staff development director. She retired in 2000. “I had a retirement party and over 135 showed up,” she says. “People from all different departments came, because we were a big family. And it was lovely.”

“Everyone was so respectful, it was very nice,” she says. “And the staff now are great.”

Her retirement did not last long, though. “I moved to Florida, went out to lunch with friends, but I knew something was missing,” she reflects.

“I was lost without my husband and family around,” she says, “and knew I wanted to keep working, so I moved back to Rochester.” Kathy worked at the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester until she was 79 years old.

Kathy moved into St. John’s Home from Solstice Senior Living at Fairport in January of 2025 after a few health complications and limited mobility.

“My daughter and son didn’t want me on my own, so we knew St. John’s was the place,” says Kathy.

She says that she can tell that St. John’s employees do not simply clock in and clock out. “They see you as a person,” she says.

“The positive energy of a smile or asking about my day means the world,” Kathy says with a smile.

When asked what she would tell nursing students or people starting their career journey, Kathy kept it simple.

“Nursing is wonderful. Nurses are wonderful people.”

“I believe in the power of education, the more education people can get, the better, and at any stage,” says Kathy.