Remembering Sister Sheila O’Brien

This is an undated photo of Sister Sheila.

Last week, Margaret Haburjak asked if we could find information and photos of Sister Sheila O’Brien.

Thanks to the Archives Department, we have indeed.

Born on May 23, 1914, in Illinois, Sister Sheila O’Brien entered the Congregation in 1933. She was a Sister of Providence for 63 years.

Sister Sheila earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, and a master’s degree in music education from Indiana State University.

This photo is of Sister Sheila (left) and Sister Rose Celeste Michaels. It was taken either in 1936 or 1937 on the southwest side of Foley Hall by the big Sycamore tree on the circle.

For several years, she ministered as a music teacher in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California. She also ministered as an English teacher and a principal – including a stint as principal at Ladywood and Ladywood-St. Agnes.

Sister Sheila also ministered at the Staff Home for Children in Crisis – located in Houston, Texas. While there, she cared for infant children of drug-addicted parents.

While in California, she ministered as provincial of the St. Michael Province for seven years, before returning to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to be the administrator of Owens Hall.

During her ministry at Owens Hall, she was the organist at the St. Joseph Chapel. In addition, Sister Sheila played the organ and directed the choir at St. Mary’s Village Church.

An interesting note, Sister Sheila entered the Congregation on the same date (Feb. 10, 1933) as Sister Marceline Mattingly and Sister Joseph Eleanor Ryan.

Sister Sheila died on Feb. 29, 1996. ‪#‎throwbackthursday ‪#‎tbt