Sister Grace Gabrielle O’Brien
Sister Grace Gabrielle O’Brien, CSAC, a member of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottine), died Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill. She was 76 years old.
Sister Gabrielle was born Grace Agnes O’Brien in New York City to Nicholas and Stephanie O’Brien on Feb. 27, 1939.
She entered the Pallottine Sisters on Sept. 8, 1961, and made her Final Profession one year later.
She celebrated her Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 1987 and her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2012.
Sister Gabrielle earned a BA from Catholic University (Washington, D.C.), an MA in Communications from New York University, and an MS in Pastoral Counseling from Iona College.
From 1990-1991 she studied Spirituality & Charism at the Pallottine Generalate in Rome, Italy.
Sister Gabrielle began her teaching ministry in 1963 and taught until 1970 when she became the Financial Administrator and member of the Adjunct Faculty at Harriman College. From 1978 to 1984 she was the Assistant Academic Dean at Iona College. She went on to become the Assistant Director of the Diocesan Ministerial Development Center of the Archdiocese of Newark in South Orange, N.J., and for a time served as Parish Pastoral Associate at St. Michael’s Parish in Cranford, N.J.
From 1991 to 1993 she was part of the Sister Formation & Adult Education team, during which time she also developed programs for the Novitiate. From 1995-99 Sister was the Circulation Manager for Catholic New York, the newspaper of the New York Archdiocese.
In 2001 until 2007 Sister Gabrielle served as General Councillor in Rome, Italy. Upon her return to the U.S. she was instrumental in creating a web page for her Province while residing at Queen of Apostles Convent in Monroe.
She is buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Monroe. May she rest in peace.
Memorial donations may be made to Pallottine Sisters Memorial Fund, 98 Harriman Heights Road, Monroe, NY 10950.
Arrangements were made by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home.