Jubilarian 2023 - Sister Eleanor O'Hearn

Sister Eleanor was born in Hannibal, Missouri. She is the eighth of nine children born to Michael J. and Helen E. O’Hearn. Being educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 12 years at McCooey High School influenced her decision to enter the community.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1952 and was received into the novitiate in 1953 as Sister Helen Elizabeth. She received a bachelor’s degree in music from Fontbonne College in 1967 and a master’s degree in music education from Wichita State University in 1972.

Sister Eleanor served in elementary education for 57 years. She began teaching in 1955 at St. John Grade School in Ishpeming, Michigan, (second grade, grade school and high school choir) before moving to Saints John & James Grade School in Ferguson, Missouri, (private piano, classroom music, beginners band and school choir) until 1969.

Sister Eleanor taught classroom music and choral at both St. Rose of Lima Grade School and Northwest Junior High in Houston, Texas, for four years before serving as principal for six while continuing to teach classroom music to from grades kindergarten to fifth).

In 1979, she moved to Denver and taught (junior high, language arts and classroom music-kindgarten thru eighth grade) at St. Francis de Sales Grade School until 1982. She served as principal while continuing to teach classroom music to all grade levels for the next 30 years. Sister Eleanor retired in 2012 and volunteered at St. Francis for two more years.

She fully retired in 2014 and since 2022 she has resided in St. Louis.

She gives thanks to the Lord for her vocation and the 70 years she has been able to share her love of community and music.

Click here to make a donation in honor of Sister Eleanor.