BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE

Sr. Sheila Buckley, OP

Born -- April 10, 1916
Professed-- April 30, 1935
Born to Eternal Life -- October 10, 2005

Julia Buckley was born April 10, 1916, at Cambridge, Massachusetts to Daniel and Ellen O’Sullivan Buckley, both from Ireland. She had two sisters, Mary and Kathleen, and two brothers, John and Joseph. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Kathleen. Hers was a very loving family who kept closely connected throughout the years.

After her graduation from St. John High School in 1933, Julia entered St. Catharine Congregation, taking the name Sister Sheila. Although she never returned to teach in Massachusetts, she remained in close contact with friends and classmates and spoke with pride about her alma mater.

Always a great story-teller, Sheila kept alive by her recollections the struggles and triumphs of the Sisters at Siena College, where she spent 22 years serving as a faculty member and Academic Dean. Because so many young Sisters attended Siena College in the summer, a whole generation of Sisters today proudly claim Sr. Sheila as one of their finest teachers in Spanish or French.

Sister Sheila’s entire ministry encompassed an academic career. She received her B.A. in French/Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago; her M.A. in French/Spanish from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; and her Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Santa Domingo, Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic.

In 1956, she directed and taught a course in Beginner’s Spanish over WKNO-TV, a Memphis television station.

In 1964 she joined the faculty of the Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce where she remained until 1972, when she became Director of Education for the Community. After serving in that capacity for four years, she became Academic Dean of St. Catharine College.

At the time of her retirement from the College she wrote that the heritage and history both of the Dominican Congregation and College were her greatest interest and hobby. Yet Sheila never retired from active participation in that history and heritage. Whenever a question arose about history or personnel, the obvious answer was, "Ask Sheila." Her graciousness and Irish humor made conversation with her a delight, no matter what the occasion.

Sheila, we ask for your prayers today to guide us into the future as you taught us about our past.

I imagine when she arrived at the Golden Gates and was met by St. Peter she  might have said, "I was faithful and I loved God, my Church, my family and my Dominican life.  Now, that's all I have to say about that."

St. Catharine College honors Sister Sheila on the marquee.

Click below to read about other Sisters or Associates who have died recently.

Sister Engelbert Allewelt, OP born to eternal life November 25, 200

Elinor "Ellie" Hartnett, OPA  born to eternal life November 17, 2005.

Sister Mary Regis Cullen, OP born to eternal life November 16, 2005.

Sister Antonia Gallagher, OP born to eternal life September 28, 2005.

  Margaret Riedel, OPA born to eternal life September 27, 2005.

Sister Rose Vincent O'Brien, OP born to eternal life September 26, 2005.

Sister Verona Weidig, OP born to eternal life September 11, 2005.

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