Sheila Marie Sullivan McDONAGH OBITUARY McDONAGH Sheila Marie Sullivan, November 7, 1946 — August 19, 2024, Sheila passed away with family by her side in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 19, 2024, from the effects of a stroke. Sheila was born on November 7, 1946, as the first child to John and Mary Sullivan (née Dunphy) in the Bronx, New York.
Sister Stephanie Sullivan joined to make them a family of four on September 5, 1948. Sheila graduated grammar and high school from St. Nicholas of Tolentine in the Bronx and went on to graduate from Dominican College in Blauvelt, NY, in 1968.
Upon graduating, she met and married Bernard McDonagh on August 10, 1968, and they moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where she began a lifetime in the teaching profession while her husband attended graduate school. While in Maryland, Sheila and Bernie expanded their family, welcoming children Brian (1970), Matthew (1972) and Megan (1975) into their lives. In 1975, the family embarked on an adventure, moving to Minnesota where Sheila spent time raising the children in St.
Paul and being heavily involved in their education at Highland Catholic Grade School and with the many sports they were passionate about. As a mother, she spent countless hours playing games she didn’t even enjoy, including Memory and Wiffle ball, while also making sure the piano was played and the books were read. When the children were in middle and high school, Sheila turned her love of flowers into a job at Bachman’s where she loved working with customers, managing events and creating beautiful flower arrangements that brought joy to many.
She went on to work at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis as the Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate Program for Teachers. She thrived on building relationships with the students and her co-workers and when she retired, many of the students she supported along the way were there to send her off.
Upon their retirements, Sheila and Bernie enjoyed traveling, especially to see their seven grandchildren, who affectionately call her Nan, in Oregon and New York, as well as friends and relatives throughout the country. Sheila is survived by her husband, Bernard McDonagh; their children and (spouses) Brian McDonagh (Megan), Matthew McDonagh (Holly Scull) and Megan McDonagh Conway (Dan); their 7 grandchildren, Eoin, Eamon, Lucia, Maisie, Della, Vaughan and Sullivan; her sister Stephanie Healy (née Sullivan) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and cousins Elinore Moore (née Dunphy) of Chicago, Illinois, and Terry Dunphy of Westfield, Massachusetts; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends throughout the country. A funeral will be celebrated at Lumen Christi Catholic Community in Highland Park, St.
Paul, Minnesota on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. with a visitation in the church lobby one hour before the Mass.
Please see www.ohalloranmurphy.com for livestreaming information.
Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sheila’s memory can be made to one of the following: The Retreat – Sheila was a longtime Friend of Bill – 1221 Wayzata Blvd. East, Wayzata, MN 55391 or Our Lady of Peace, where Sheila and our family were cared for by the loving and devoted hospice staff in her final days – 2076 St.
Anthony Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 651-698-0796 Honor with Flowers In memory of Sheila Marie Sullivan Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Sheila Marie Sullivan.
